IK 


HOME  WORSHIP 


A  SERIES  OF 


TOPICAL  PRAYERS 


THE  FAMILY  CIRCLE 


BY  THE  LATE 

JAMES    W.    WEIR, 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

PRESBYTERIAN   BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION 

AND  SABBATH  SCHOOL  WORK, 

No.  133*  CHESTNUT  STREET. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1879,  by 

THE  TRUSTEES  OF  THE 

PRESBYTERIAN   BOARD   OF   PUBLICATION, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


WESTCOTT  &  THOMSON, 
Stereotypers  and  Electrotypers,  Philada. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGB 

THE  LORD'S  PRAYER 15 

ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD 18 

CHRISTIAN  GRACES 21 

THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS 24 

OFFICES  OF  CHRIST 28 

PRAYER 32 

CREATION,  PROVIDENCE  AND  REDEMPTION 35 

JUSTIFICATION,  ADOPTION  AND  SANCTIFICATION 39 

GOSPEL  BLESSINGS 43 

THE  BEATITUDES 46 

MEANS  OF  GRACE 50 

LIFE,  DEATH  AND  ETERNITY 54 

PRAYER 57 

LORD'S  SUITER 62,  66 

MONTHLY  CONCERT 69,  73,  76,  79,  83 

KEEPING  THE  HEART 86 

WORD  OF  GOD 90 

FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY 94 

THANKSGIVINGS 97 


2021416 


4  CONTENTS. 

PAGB 

TALENTS 101 

THE  WORLD,  THE  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL 104 

GOD 108 

KNOWLEDGE,  HOLINESS  AND  ZEAL in 

TRINITY "5 

NATURE,  GRACE  AND  GLORY 118 

GOSPEL  ARMOR 122 

FRUITS  OF  THE  SPIRIT 125 

GOSPEL  BLESSINGS 129 

DUTIES  TO  GOD 132 

DUTIES  TO  MAN 136 

DUTIES  TO  OURSELVES 139 

PASTOR,  ELDERS,  CHURCH  AND  CONGREGATION 143 

PLEASING  GOD 147 

MORNING 150,  153 

NIGHT 157 

THOUGHTS,  WORDS  AND  ACTIONS 160 

REVIVAL 164,  167,  171,  174,  178,  181,  185,  188,  192,  195 

DEPRECATIONS 199,  202,  206,  209,  213 

SABBATH  MORNING 216,  220,  223 

SABBATH  EVENING 227,  230 

WORD  OF  GOD 233 

LORD'S  PRAYER 237 

ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD 242 

FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY 246 

CONFESSIONS 249 

REDEMPTION 253 


CONTENTS.  5 

PAGB 

Nnw  YEAR 256,  260 

HEAVEN  AND  HELL 263 

GRATITUDE,  REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH 267 

GOD'S  MERCIES 270 

NIGHT 274 

FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY 278 

GOD 281 

FAITH,  KNOWLEDGE,  HOPE,  LOVE,  ZEAL 285 

THE  LAW  AND  THE  GOSPEL 288 

PROSPERITY  AND  ADVERSITY 292 

LOVE 295 

THE  AFFLICTED 299 

EXAMPLE  OF  CHRIST 302 

COUNSEL,  PROTECTION,  BOUNTY  AND  GRACE 305 

DUTY 308 

THE  SOUL 312 

REPENTANCE  AND  CONFESSION 316 


INTRODUCTION. 


HAD  the  writer  of  the  following  work  lived  to 
publish  it  himself,  it  is  probable  that,  like  a  for- 
mer volume  of  similar  character,  it  would  have 
been  issued  anonymously.  The  partiality  of 
friends  and  the  great  worth  of  the  volume  join 
in  furnishing  a  reason  for  no  longer  concealing 
the  authorship.  Forty  years  ago,  when  a  young 
man,  and  but  a  few  years  after  his  remarkable 
conversion  to  God,  he  wrote  and  published  anon- 
ymously A  Manual  of  Prayer:  designed  to  assist 
Christians  in  learning  tJie  Subjects  and  Modes  of 
Devotion,  which  is  now  published  by  the  Pres- 
byterian Board  of  Publication  as  The  Closet 
Companion.  The  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  intro- 
duced it  to  the  public,  characterizing  it  in  terms 
of  high  commendation.  The  writer,  James  W. 
Weir,  was  then,  and  until  his  death,  in  1878, 


8  INTRODUCTION, 

continued  to  be,  an  officer  in  the  Harrisburg 
(Pa.)  National  Bank,  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Mar- 
ket Square  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  super- 
intendent of  its  Sunday-school.  All  these  posi- 
tions he  filled  with  marked  ability  and  rare  faith- 
fulness. As  a  Sunday-school  worker,  especially, 
he  was  widely  known  and  greatly  esteemed.  A 
life  like  his  cannot  be  written.  Its  incidents  of 
parentage,  birth,  education,  conversion,  labors,  ill- 
ness and  death  may  be  easily  told,  but  these  are 
not  the  life  itself.  That,  though  not  without  its 
honors,  had  in  it  few  striking  and  startling  events. 
It  moved  on  quietly  in  the  ordinary  channels  of 
home  and  church  and  business  life,  bringing  re- 
freshment everywhere,  strengthening  goodness, 
reproving  evil,  moulding  hundreds  of  other  lives 
and  exalting  religion  in  the  eyes  of  all  men. 

Mr.  Weir  was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer — a 
man  remarkably  gifted  in  this  respect.  From 
the  earliest  period  of  his  Christian  life  he  not 
only  cultivated  the  spirit  of  prayer,  spending 
much  time  in  prayer,  but  studied  the  subjects  of 
prayer,  the  wants  of  the  soul  and  of  the  world,  and 
especially  made  himself  familiar  with  the  "  words 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth,"  that  he  might 
present  the  whole  compass  of  human  wants  at 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

the  throne  of  grace  in  forms  of  divine  speech. 
His  prayers  were  always  models  of  rich  quota- 
tion of  Scripture  language.  For  many  years 
it  was  a  habit  with  him,  in  the  intervals  of  press- 
ing public  business  and  after  the  wearying  cares 
of  the  day  were  over,  to  refresh  his  own  soul 
and  to  cultivate  the  power  of  expression  in  prayer 
by  committing  his  prayers  to  writing.  Prayer  was 
a  study  to  him.  He  was  a  large  believer  in  the 
sublime,  solemn,  magnificent  doctrines  of  the 
Christian  faith.  He  lived  in  the  sense  of  God. 
He  "endured  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible." 
The  awe  and  sacredness  of  spiritual  things  rested 
upon  his  soul,  and  he  drew  near  to  God  in  chosen 
words,  enriching  himself  out  of  the  sacred 
writings. 

These  prayers  differ  from  most  productions 
of  this  class.  They  are  not  "  forms  of  prayer " 
for  use  in  public  or  in  private.  They  are  not 
designed  for  the  social  meeting  or  family  circle, 
but  are  rather,  what  their  author  was  accustomed 
to  call  them,  "  studies  in  prayer."  They  are  in- 
tended to  guide  and  help  the  reader  by  suggest- 
ing trains  of  thought  and  forms  of  expression  in 
prayer.  They  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  prayer. 
They  give  subjects  of  prayer,  and  then  supply  fit- 


IO  INTRODUCTION, 

ting  thoughts  and  make  admirable  adaptations  of 
Scripture  to  them.  In  simple,  chaste  and  beau- 
tiful language  they  suggest  and  express  the  de- 
sires of  thousands  on  a  great  variety  of  topics — 
desires  that  but  few  know  how  to  embody  in 
words.  Let  any  believer  read  and  study  this 
little  book,  fill  his  heart  with  its  spirit,  become 
familiar  with  its  topics  of  thought  and  modes 
of  expression,  and  his  own  prayers  will  largely 
gain  in  comprehensiveness  and  power. 

T.  H.  ROBINSON. 

HARRISBURG,  July  20,  1878. 


PREFACE. 


THE  following  volume  was  written  for  occasion- 
al use  by  the  author  in  family  worship,  though 
more  for  his  own  narrower  domestic  circle  of 
husband  and  wife  ;  and  further,  also,  for  studies 
and  helps  in  social  prayer. 

In  regard  to  forms  for  family  worship,  it  may 
in  frankness  be  said  that  perhaps  the  majority 
of  heads  of  families  need  something  of  that  kind, 
and  there  would  be,  in  a  multitude  of  cases,  a 
better  devotional  habit  and  spirit  of  prayer  by 
such  persons  casting  their  minds,  at  least  oc- 
casionally, into  the  moulds  of  well-constructed 
prayers. 

Besides  the  large  circle  of  those  who  really 
need  such  help  and  who  may  be  profited  thereby, 
there  are  many  of  our  best  and  most  intelligent 
Christians  who  are  apt  to  run  into  stereotyped 
phrases,  and  to  use  a  very  limited  range  of  topics 


12  PREFACE. 

in  family  worship,  so  that  the  tendency  in  many 
instances  is  rather  to  impoverishment  than  en- 
richment in  the  felicity  of  expression  and  range 
of  subjects  in  the  matter  of  domestic  worship. 
It  would  seem,  therefore,  to  the  writer  that  some- 
thing like  the  following  book  might  be  useful ; 
not,  perhaps,  for  constant  or  even  very  frequent 
use,  but  as  affording  a  study  at  least  of  subjects 
and  modes  of  prayer. 

In  regard  to  the  more  restricted  household 
circle  referred  to  above,  it  would  probably  be 
valuable  as  an  inner  fountain-head  of  domestic 
piety  if  Christian  husbands  and  wives  had  their 
own  special  closet  wherein  together  to  refresh 
themselves  daily,  apart  from  all  others,  by  .con- 
ference, reading  and  prayer.  Out  of  this  would 
flow  gracious  influences  on  the  family,  the  Church 
and  the  world  beyond  estimate.  The  writer 
would  fain  hope  that  this  volume  will  be  a 
helper  in  such  an  oratory. 

On  the  subject  of  social  prayer  it  may  be  said 
that  it  claims  much  more  attention  than  the 
Church  now  gives  it.  Compliance  of  her  mem- 
bership with  this  duty  would  make  Christians 
more  distinctively  religious,  protect  them  from 
many  temptations  in  the  world,  identify  them  more 


PREFACE.  13 

closely  and  usefully  with  the  movements  of  the 
Church,  stimulate  them  to  a  higher  standard  of 
Christian  life,  increase  their  religious  knowledge 
and  greatly  advance  their  happiness.  To  ac- 
quire more  facility  in  this  duty  there  is  needed 
more  prayer  in  the  closet,  more  cordiality  in 
meeting  the  requirements  of  the  Church  in  this 
matter,  more  heartiness  in  religion  itself,  more 
religious  reading,  and,  withal,  the  furnishing  of 
the  mind  with  the  topics  of  prayer,  of  the 
number  and  variety  of  which  most  Christians 
are  perhaps  not  aware. 

It  is  hoped  that  this  volume  will  supply  helps 
to  this  duty  of  social  prayer,  and,  without  in- 
ducing any  slavish  imitation  in  language  of  these 
prayers,  yet  furnish  such  examples  and  studies 
of  topics  having  a  relative  fitness  to  each  other 
when  combined  as  will  tend  to  enlarge  the  area 
of  social  prayer,  discipline  and  store  the  mind 
with  useful  material,  and,  rightly  used,  deepen  the 
tone  of  personal  piety  and  exercise  a  wholesome 
influence  on  Christians  in  the  aggressive  move- 
ments in  the  Church  militant. 

Possibly  it  may  be  objected  that  the  study  of 
prayer  might  lead  to  formality.  But  experience 
in  all  educationary  processes,  manual  and  mental, 


14  PREFACE. 

proves  the  contrary.  The  more  the  attention  and 
practice  that  are  given  to  handicraft,  to  speaking, 
writing  and  study,  the  more  ease  and  proficiency 
we  gain,  until  that  which  at  first  was  awkward 
and  toilsome  becomes  graceful  and  easy.  And 
why  should  not  freedom  and  proficiency  in  prayer 
follow  the  same  law  of  wise  and  diligent  prac- 
tice ? 


HOME  WORSHIP. 


THE  LORD'S  PR  A  YER. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  grant  us  the  spirit  of 
adoption,  by  which  we  may  cry,  Abba,  Father! 
Enable  us  to  look  up  unto  thee,  as  infinitely  able 
to  bless  us  with  thy  paternal  gifts  ;  for  if  earthly 
parents  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  chil- 
dren, much  more  wilt  thou  give  thy  Spirit  to  them 
that  ask  thee. 

Lord,  assist  us  to  honor  thy  name.  Thou  art 
everlasting  in  being  ;  almighty  in  power  ;  infinite 
in  wisdom  ;  inflexible  in  justice  ;  eternal  in  truth  ; 
spotless  in  holiness ;  and  boundless  in  mercy. 
Oh,  dispose  us  to  praise  thee  in  our  thoughts  and 
with  our  lips  and  by  our  lives  ;  and  grant  that, 
whether  we  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  we  do,  we 
may  do  all  things  to  thy  glory. 

We  bless  thee  that  thou  didst  not  leave  our  race 
to  perish  in  the  estate  of  sin  and  misery  into 
which  it  had  fallen,  but  that  thou  didst  send  thy 
Son  to  establish  in  this  apostate  world  a  kingdom 
of  grace  and  salvation.  Lord,  set  it  up  in  our 
hearts,  and  make  us  the  willing  subjects  of  thy 

15 


1 6  HOME    WORSHIP. 

power.  Oh,  let  thy  will  be  done  everywhere  on 
earth  as  it  is  done  in  heaven,  that  at  the  name 
of  Jesus  every  knee  may  bow  and  every  tongue 
confess. 

Gracious  God,  teach  us  the  duty  of  desiring 
and  seeking  our  daily  bread  and  all  our  temporal 
comforts  as  the  gifts  of  thy  hands.  In  receiving 
them  may  we  acknowledge  thy  providing  and 
nourishing  goodness.  Suffer  us  not  to  be  anxious 
what  we  shall  eat  and  drink  and  wherewithal  we 
shall  be  clothed  ;  but  may  we  seek  first  thy  king- 
dom and  righteousness,  and  all  these  things,  ac- 
cording to  thy  promise,  shall  be  added  unto  us. 

Lord,  pardon  our  transgressions,  so  numerous 
and  so  aggravated.  Justify  us  freely  by  thy 
grace  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus. 
Give  us  the  blessedness  of  them  to  whom  thou 
imputest  not  iniquity ;  whose  sins,  though  they 
be  as  scarlet  shall  be  white  as  snow,  and  though 
they  be  red  like  crimson  shall  be  as  wool.  En- 
able us  to  say,  "  Though  thou  wast  angry  with  us, 
thine  anger  is  turned  away  and  thou  comfortes 
us."  And  let  thy  Spirit  bear  witness  with  ours 
that  we  are  thy  children  redeemed  from  the-  pen- 
alty of  sin  by  the  death  of  Christ,  and  accepted 
as  righteous  in  thy  sight  because  of  his  right- 
eousness imputed  to  us  and  received  by  faith 
alone. 

Make  us  to  realize  the  condition  of  the  prayer. 
"  Forgive  us  our  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debtors ;" 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER.  \7 

and  let  us  not  by  a  vindictive  spirit  seal  up  the 
fountains  of  thy  pardoning  mercy,  for  thou  hast 
told  us  that  if  we  forgive  not  men  their  tres- 
passes, neither  wilt  thou  forgive  us  our  trespasses. 

Lead  us  not  into  temptation.  Secure  us  from 
the  countless  wiles  of  the  adversary  of  our  souls ; 
shelter  us  from  the  seducing  influences  of  a  world 
lying  in  wickedness,  and  preserve  us  from  the 
tendency  to  corruption  in  our  own  hearts. 

Give  us  wisdom  to  discern  and  strength  to  resist 
every  approach  of  temptation.  Be  thou  a  present 
help  in  every  hour  of  need. 

Keep  us,  O  Father,  from  accident,  sickness  and 
death.  Preserve  us  from  backsliding  from  the 
ways  of  grace ;  for  if  any  man  draw  back,  thou 
hast  no  pleasure  in  him.  If  our  feet  fall  into 
snares  and  slide  in  the  paths  of  evil,  bring  us 
back  from  our  wanderings,  restore  us  to  thy  favor, 
set  our  feet  upon  the  Rock,  establish  our  goings  in 
thy  strength,  and  enable  us  to  press  toward  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling. 

Lord,  pity  the  ungodly.  Restore  every  prodi- 
gal in  sin  to  his  Father's  house.  Let  them  that 
dishonor  thy  name  glorify  it.  Bring  many  rebels 
to  submit  to  thy  dominion.  Supply  the  wants  of 
all  thy  creatures.  Induce  multitudes  to  accept 
thy  forgiving  mercy  in  Jesus  Christ.  Cause  for- 
bearing love  to  supplant  revengeful  passion.  Re- 
move the  temptations  and  lessen  the  evils  that 
beset  and  afflict  mankind.  And  let  the  blessings, 


1 8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

temporal    and   spiritual,    of  the    gospel    fill    the 
earth. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  ask  thee  to  reign  over  us 
and  to  rule  in  us.  Break  our  stony  hearts,  bend 
our  stubborn  wills  and  quicken  us  into  newness 
of  life.  Help  us  to  glorify  thee  in  Jesus  Christ 
as  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever.  Amen. 


ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD. 

O  THOU  MOST  HIGH,  we  would  praise  and  serve 
thee  for  thine  excellent  greatness. 

Thou  art  eternal  in  thy  being.  From  everlast- 
ing to  everlasting  thou  art  God.  Thou  hast  no 
beginning  of  days  nor  end  of  years.  Teach  us 
that  thou  hast  made  us  in  the  image  of  thine  own 
eternity,  and  that  thou  hast  undying  power  to 
make  us  happy  or  wretched  for  ever,  and  that 
thy  hand  will  be  on  us,  for  weal  or  woe,  con- 
tinually. Enable  us  and  others  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come  and  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life. 
Make  with  us,  O  God,  thine  everlasting  covenant, 
and  be  the  strength  of  our  hearts  and  our  portion 
for  ever. 

Thou,  O  Lord,  art  almighty  in  thy  power. 
Thou  hast  made  and  controlled  and  sustained 
the  mighty  fabric  of  Nature  by  the  strength  of 
thy  word.  Oh,  incline  us  to  fear  thee,  who  art  able 
to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell  for  ever. 


ATTRIBUTES   OF  GOD.  19 

Dispose  us  to  put  our  trust  in  thee ;  for  if  thoti 
art  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  Do  thou 
subdue  us  to  thyself,  and  keep  us  by  thy  power 
through  faith  unto  salvation. 

Thou  art  glorious  in  wisdom.  Thine  under- 
standing is  infinite.  There  is  no  creature  that  is 
not  manifest  in  thy  sight,  and  thou  knowest  all 
things,  even  the  end  from  the  beginning.  Lord, 
do  thou  make  us  feel  the  truth  that  thou  hast 
searched  and  known  us.  May  it  restrain  us  from 
sin ;  because  there  is  no  darkness  where  the  workers 
of  iniquity  may  hide  themselves.  May  it  lead  us 
to  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth  ;  for  thou 
art  not  deceived  and  thou  canst  not  be  mocked. 
And  oh,  may  it  be  a  source  of  comfort  and  bless- 
ing to  us  ;  for  thou  knowest  all  our  wants,  and 
canst  supply  them  out  of  thy  fullness.  Gracious 
God,  guide  us  by  thy  counsel  and  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation. 

Lord,  thou  art  spotless  in  holiness.  Thou  canst 
not  look  on  sin  but  with  abhorrence.  Even  the 
heavens  are  not  clean  in  thy  sight,  and  thou 
chargest  thine  angels  with  folly.  Oh,  may  this 
solemn  truth  make  us  humble  in  thy  sight  and 
dispose  us  to  cry,  "  Guilty,  unclean  !  God,  be  mer- 
ciful to  us  sinners."  Grant  us  such  contempla- 
tions of  thy  holiness  as  shall  cause  us  to  die  unto 
sin  and  to  live  unto  righteousness.  And  may 
we,  beholding  as  in  a  glass  its  glory,  be  changed 
into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory. 


-20  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Thou,  O  God,  art  inflexible  in  thy  justice.  A 
sceptre  of  righteousness  is  the  sceptre  of  thy 
kingdom.  Yet  we  adore  thee  that  thou  canst 
be  just  and  still  be  the  justifier  of  the  ungodly 
who  believe  in  Jesus.  We  pray  thee  to  impute 
unto  us  his  perfect  righteousness,  that  we  may 
stand  before  thee  accepted  in  the  Beloved.  And, 
O  God,  do  thou  redeem  many  from  the  curse 
of  the  law  who  are  now  vexing  thy  justice  by 
their  transgressions,  and  give  them  the  adoption 
of  sons  through  the  righteousness  of  Christ. 

Thou  art  boundless  in  goodness.  Every  good 
and  perfect  gift  cometh  from  thee.  Our  lives 
have  been  a  record  of  thy  mercy.  We  have 
lived  every  moment  at  the  expense  of  thy  good- 
ness. Lord,  let  our  thankfulness  bear  some 
proportion  to  thy  loving-kindness.  Make  us 
grateful  to  thee  for  thy  providing  and  sparing 
mercies,  but,  above  all,  for  thy  forgiving  and  sav- 
ing love.  And  let  all  thy  creatures  share  abun- 
dantly in  these  blessings.  May  we  be  drawn  to 
thee  by  them  with  a  stronger  love,  and  be  led 
to  consecrate  ourselves  and  all  thy  gifts  to  thy 
service. 

Thou,  Lord,  art  eternal  and  unchangeable  in 
truth.  Just  and  true  are  all  thy  ways,  thou  King 
of  saints.  With  thee  there  is  no  variableness, 
neither  shadow  of  turning.  Oh,  do  thou  assist  us 
to  love  the  truth,  and  to  seek  its  promotion  even 
at  our  own  expense.  Teach  us  to  abhor  deceit 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES.  21 

in  every  possible  form.  May  we  remember  that 
nothing  can  enter  the  holy  city  that  maketh  or 
loveth  a  lie,  and  that  the  lip  of  truth  shall  be 
established  for  ever. 

Adorable  Jehovah,  let  all  our  contemplations 
of  thy  character  be  such  as  shall  exalt  thy  name 
and  conform  us  more  and  more  to  thy  blessed 
image.  And  the  praise  shall  be  ascribed  to  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit  for  ever.  Amen. 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 

FAITH,  VIRTUE,  KNOWLEDGE,  TEMPERANCE,  PATIENCE, 
GODLINESS,  BROTHERLY  KINDNESS. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  come  before  thee  with  a  deep 
sense  of  our  unworthiness.  Yet  we  thank  thee 
that,  unworthy  as  we  are,  we  still  are  permitted  to 
plead  with  the  hope  of  success  for  those  graces 
of  the  Christian  character  which  will  raise  us 
from  our  low  estate  and  make  us  meet  for  thy 
favor. 

Grant  us,  therefore,  a  living  faith.  Help  us  to 
regard  thee  as  infinite  in  all  thine  attributes. 
Make  thy  word  the  man  of  our  counsel.  Dis- 
pose us  to  trust  thee  in  all  the  ways  of  thy 
providence.  Teach  us  to  look  continually  to 
Jesus  as  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith.  Make 
us  followers  of  them  who  by  faith  wrought  right- 
eousness and  obtained  promises.  Give  us  an 


22  HOME    WORSHIP. 

abiding  conviction  that  thou  art  the  rewardei 
of  them  that  diligently  seek  thee.  Grant  us 
grace  to  show  forth  our  faith  by  our  works. 
Make  us  to  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight,  look- 
ing not  at  things  which  are  seen  and  temporal, 
but  at  those  which  are  not  seen  and  are  eternal. 

Enable  us,  O  God,  to  add  to  faith  that  virtuous 
energy  which  will  make  us  zealous  of  good 
works.  Lead  us  to  inquire  diligently  what  thou 
wilt  have  us  to  do  ;  for  we  must  glorify  thee  in 
our  bodies  and  spirits,  which  are  thine.  May 
we  hear  thy  word  and  thy  providence  calling  us 
to  gird  up  our  loins  in  thy  service.  Open  unto 
us  every  pathway  of  duty ;  and  whatsoever  our 
hands  find  to  do,  oh  help  us  to  do  it  with  our 
might. 

Lord,  let  not  our  zeal  be  without  knowledge. 
Do  thou  strengthen  our  memories  and  enlighten 
our  understandings  in  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 
Preserve  us  from  error.  Give  us  that  wisdom 
from  above  which  is  first  pure,  then  peaceable, 
gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and 
good  fruits,  without  partiality  and  without  hy- 
pocrisy. Yet  do  thou  never  suffer  us  to  lean 
upon  our  own  understanding,  but  ever  dispose 
us  to  trust  in  thee,  the  living  God. 

Bestow  on  us,  we  beseech  thee,  the  virtue  of 
temperance.  May  we  remember  that  every  one 
that  striveth  for  the  mastery  is  temperate  in  all 
things.  Make  us  willing  to  give  up  every  ii- 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES.  23 

dulgence  that  will  come  in  competition  with  the 
interests  of  our  souls  and  the  welfare  of  thy 
kingdom.  May  we  use  the  lawful  things  of  this 
life  as  not  abusing  them,  and  strive  to  pass 
through  things  that  are  temporal,  so  as  not  to 
forget  nor  forfeit  those  that  are  eternal. 

Imbue  us.  O  Lord,  with  the  grace  of  patience. 
May  we  endure  as  seeing  Him  that  is  invisible. 
May  we  remember  Him  who  endured  the  con- 
tradiction of  sinners,  lest  we  be  wearied  and 
faint  in  our  minds.  Make  us  submissive  in  the 
trials  of  life,  and  let  patience  have  in  us  its 
perfect  work. 

Vouchsafe  unto  us  that  spirit  of  godliness 
which  is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  the 
promise  of  the  life  that  now  is  and  of  that  which 
is  to  come.  Teach  us  that  not  every  one  that  saith 
"  Lord,  Lord  !"  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
but  he  only  that  doth  the  will  of  our  Father  in 
heaven.  Oh,  may  our  lives  be  hid  with  Christ  in 
God,  so  that  when  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall 
appear,  we  also  shall  appear  with  him  in  glory. 

Fill  us  with  brotherly  kindness.  Make  good- 
will to  all  men  the  ruling  principle  of  our  hearts. 
Dispose  us  to  be  merciful,  even  as  thou,  Father, 
art  merciful.  Make  us  as  sight  to  the  blind,  as 
feet  to  the  lame,  as  health  to  the  sick,  as  plenty 
to  the  needy,  as  strength  to  the  feeble,  and  as 
comfort  to  the  mourner. 

Gracious  God,  vouchsafe  that  all  who  call  upon 


24  HOME    WORSHIP. 

thy  name,  and  that  multitudes  who  now  care  for 
none  of  these  things  may  have  grace  given  to 
them  to  add  to  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temper- 
ance, patience,  godliness,  brotherly  kindness  and 
charity.  And  may  these  be  in  them  and  abound 
in  them,  that  they  shall  not  be  barren  nor  un- 
fruitful in  the  Lord. 

Hear  these  our  unworthy  prayers  for  the  sake 
of  Jesus,  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  blessed 
Spirit,  be  present  and  endless  praise.  Amen. 


THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  would  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  not  left  us  to  the  light  of  Nature  in  learning 
thy  holy  will,  but  hast  given  us  thy  precious 
law  to  warn  and  restrain  us  from  sin,  and  to  lead 
us  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  and  peace. 

Thou  art  entitled,  as  our  Creator,  Preserver, 
Benefactor  and  Redeemer,  to  our  unreserved 
obedience.  Yet  such  is  our  blindness  of  mind 
and  hardness  of  heart  that,  unless  thou  draw  us 
by  thy  Spirit  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  thy  com- 
mandments, we  shall  offend  continually  against 
thy  will.  Oh,  do  thou  grant  us  grace,  for  Christ's 
sake,  to  keep  thy  statutes  and  to  rejoice  in  the 
way  of  thy  commandments. 

Jehovah,    thou   art   the   only  living   and    true 


THE   TEN  COMMA&DMEXTS  25 

God.  Oh,  let  not  the  truth  that  thou  art  over 
all,  God  blessed  for  ever,  rest  only  in  our  reason, 
but  may  it  possess  our  souls  and  lead  us  to 
worship  thee  continually  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
Lord,  pity  the  fool  who  has  said  in  his  heart, 
"There  is  no  God,"  and  teach  him  that  thy 
kingdom  ruleth  over  alL  In  thy  mercy  bid  the 
heathen  know  and  acknowledge  thee  as  the  true 
God  and  their  God,  and  worship  and  glorify 
thee  accordingly. 

Lord,  enable  us  to  receive  and  observe  and 
keep  pure  and  entire  all  such  religious  worship 
and  ordinances  as  thou  hast  appointed  in  thy 
word.  May  we  remember  thy  sovereignty  over 
us,  thy  property  in  us,  and  the  zeal  thou  hast 
for  thine  own  worship.  And  oh,  do  thou  rebuke 
those  that  would  worship  thee  by  images  or  in 
any  way  not  appointed  in  thy  word.  Turn  them 
from  the  error  of  their  ways  to  the  wisdom  of  the 
just,  that  they  may  look  to  thee  only  as  the 
object  of  adoring  homage. 

Make  us  ever  mindful  that  thou  hast  forbidden 
us  to  take  thy  name  in  vain,  and  that  thou  wilt 
not  hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  thy  name  in  vain. 
Do  thou  enable  us  to  make  a  holy  and  reverend 
use  of  all  thy  names,  titles,  attributes,  ordinances, 
words  and  works,  and  prevent  us  from  profan- 
ing or  abusing  anything  whereby  thou  makest 
thyself  known.  Oh,  may  the  breakers  of  this 
commandment  know  that,  though  they  may  es- 


26  HOME    WORSHIP. 

cape  punishment  from  men,  yet  thou  wilt  not 
suffer  them  to  escape  thy  righteous  judgment. 
Cause  them  to  repent  of  their  sin,  and  grant 
that  every  tongue  that  has  abused  thy  majesty 
may  become  a  voice  of  thanksgiving  and  prayer. 

Help  us,  O  God,  to  remember  the  Sabbath-day 
to  keep  it  holy.  May  we  sanctify  it  by  a  holy 
resting  all  that  day  from  such  worldly  empoly- 
ments  and  recreations  as  are  lawful  on  other 
days,  and  spend  the  whole  time  in  the  public  and 
private  exercises  of  thy  worship,  except  so  much 
as  is  to  be  taken  up  in  the  works  of  necessity 
and  mercy.  Suffer  us  not  to  omit  or  perform 
carelessly  the  duties  required,  or  profane  the  day 
by  idleness,  or  do  that  which  is  in  itself  sinful, 
or  by  unnecessary  thoughts,  words  or  works 
about  our  worldly  employments  or  recreations. 
And,  O  Lord,  redeem  the  Sabbath  from  the 
profanation  which  so  many  bring  upon  it.  Cause 
all  who  break  it  for  convenience,  pleasure  or 
profit  to  repent  of  their  transgression,  and  to 
use  it  as  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord. 

Lord,  enable  us  to  preserve  the  honor  and 
perform  the  duties  that  belong  to  every  one  in 
their  several  places  and  relations,  as  superiors, 
inferiors  and  equals.  Especially  we  pray  that 
all  sons  and  daughters  may  honor  their  father 
and  mother,  which  is  the  first  commandment 
with  promise.  Make  every  child  to  feel  its 
obligation  to  keep  its  father's  commandment  and 


THE   TEN  COMMANDMENTS.  TJ 

to  forsake  not  the  law  of  its  mother,  but  to  obey 
them  in  reverence  and  love. 

Keep  us,  we  pray  thee,  from  anger,  which  is 
heart-murder,  and  from  strife  with  our  fellow- 
creatures.  Teach  us  the  duty  of  making  every 
lawful  endeavor  to  preserve  our  own  life  and  the 
life  of  others,  and  save  us  from  the  guilt  of 
taking  away  our  own  lives  or  the  lives  of 
others  unlawfully,  or  whatsoever  tendeth  there- 
unto. 

Lord,  give  us  grace  to  preserve  our  own  and 
our  neighbor's  chastity  in  heart,  speech  and  be- 
havior. And  do  thou  keep  us  from  all  unchaste 
thoughts,  words  and  actions. 

Dispose  us  to  procure  and  further  lawfully  the 
wealth  and  outward  estate  of  ourselves  and  others. 
Incline  us  to  render  to  all  their  just  dues.  May 
we  remember  the  woe  of  him  that  buildeth  his 
house  by  unrighteousness  and  his  chambers  by 
wrong,  and  the  reward  of  him  that  walketh 
uprightly  and  despiseth  the  gains  of  oppression 
and  shaketh  his  hand  from  holding  bribes. 

Keep  us  from  everything  that  is  prejudicial  to 
truth  or  injurious  to  our  own  or  our  neighbors' 
good  name.  Suffer  us  not  to  think  or  act  or 
speak  deceitfully  in  anything.  Teach  us  that 
none  who  make  or  love  a  lie  can  enter  the  holy 
city,  and  that  the  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established 
for  ever. 

Preserve  us  from  covetousness,  which  is  idol- 


28  HOME    WORSHIP. 

atry.  Grant  us  full  contentment  with  our  own  con- 
dition, and  a  right  and  charitable  frame  of  spirit 
toward  our  neighbor  and  all  that  is  his.  Suffer 
us  not  to  envy  or  grieve  at  the  good  of  our 
neighbor,  nor  to  cherish  any  inordinate  motions 
or  affections  toward  anything  that  is  his. 

Heavenly  Father,  let  the  law  of  thy  mouth  be 
better  unto  us  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver. 
Order  our  steps  in  thy  word,  and  let  not  any 
iniquity  have  dominion  over  us.  Yet  do  thou 
teach  us  that  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  shall  no 
flesh  living  be  justified.  Make  it  a  schoolmaster 
to  lead  us  to  Christ,  in  whom  may  we  find 
peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
increase  in  grace,  and  perseverance  therein  to 
the  end !  Amen. 


OFFICES  OF  CHRIST. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  art  not  worshiped  as 
though  thou  needest  anything,  for  thou  givest 
unto  all  life  and  breath  and  all  things.  Yet  thou 
answerest  the  cry  of  the  young  ravens,  and  a 
sparrow  cannot  fall  to  the  ground  without  thy 
notice.  Wilt  thou  not,  then,  hear  us  and  be  our 
Surety  when  we  come  to  thee  in  thine  appointed 
way  ?  Lord,  the  burden  of  our  souls  before  thee 
now  is  Jesus  the  Prince  and  the  Saviour,  whom 


OFFICES  OF  CHRIST.  2$ 

thou  hast  exalted  to  give  repentance  and  re- 
mission of  sins. 

Almighty  God,  thou  didst  create  man  after 
thine  own  image,  in  knowledge,  righteousness 
and  holiness.  But,  alas  !  our  first  parents,  having 
been  left  to  the  freedom  of  their  own  will,  fell 
from  the  estate  wherein  they  were  created  by 
sinning  against  thee.  And  all  mankind,  descend- 
ing from  them  by  ordinary  generation,  sinned  in 
them  and  fell  with  them  in  their  first  trans- 
gression. Lord,  we  acknowledge  and  mourn 
over  the  sinfulness  and  misery  of  that  estate  into 
which  we,  in  common  with  all  men,  have  been 
brought  by  the  fall.  All  flesh  has  corrupted  its 
way  upon  the  earth,  all  have  lost  communion 
with  thee,  all  have  been  brought  under  thy  wrath 
and  curse,  and  so  made  liable  to  all  miseries 
in  this  life,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the  pains  of 
hell  for  ever. 

Yet,  O  Lord,  we  praise  and  adore  thee  that 
thou  didst  not  leave  us  to  perish  in  this  condition 
of  sin  and  misery,  but  hast  entered  into  a  cove- 
nant of  grace  to  deliver  out  of  it  thy  chosen 
people,  and  to  bring  them  into  an  estate  of  sal- 
vation by  a  Redeemer,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who,  being  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  became  man, 
and  so  was,  and  continueth  to  be,  both  God  and 
man,  in  two  distinct  natures  and  one  person,  for 
ever.  Gracious  God,  give  us,  we  pray  thee,  in- 
telligent and  heartfelt  views  of  the  offices  which 


30  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Christ  executes  as  our  Redeemer,  so  that  we 
may  be  persuaded  and  enabled  to  embrace  him 
as  he  is  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel. 

We  would  receive  Jesus  Christ  as  our  Prophet, 
to  reveal  to  us  by  his  word  and  Spirit  the  will  of 
God  for  our  salvation.  May  his  statutes  give 
light  and  love,  zeal  and  purity,  to  our  souls.  Let 
them  not  be  a  savor  of  death  unto  death,  but  a 
savor  of  life  unto  life,  to  us.  May  his  blessed 
Spirit  lead  us  into  the  knowledge  of  truth  ;  renew 
and  sanctify  our  wills  ;  make  intercession  within 
us  in  prayer ;  bear  witness  with  our  spirits  that 
we  are  thy  children  ;  and  seal  us  with  that  prom- 
ise which  is  an  earnest  till  the  redemption  of  the 
purchased  possession. 

We  would  receive  Jesus  Christ  as  the  great 
High  Priest  who  has  once  offered  up  himself 
a  sacrifice  to  satisfy  divine  justice  and  reconcile 
us  to  God,  and  who  makes  continual  interces- 
sion for  his  saints.  Oh,  help  thou  us  to  look  on 
him  as  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world ;  who  put  away  sin  by  the  sac- 
rifice of  himself,  in  his  own  body,  on  the  tree  ; 
who  knew  no  sin,  but  was  made  sin  for  us,  that 
we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
him  ;  and  who  died,  the  Just  for  the  unjust,  that 
he  might  bring  us  to  thee.  Oh,  may  our  faith 
follow  him  into  thy  presence,  where  he  ever 
liveth  to  make  intercession,  and  rely  with  a  con- 
fiding hope  that  he  is  still  and  ever  will  be  able 


OFFICES   OF  CHRIST.  31 

to  save  unto  the  uttermost  all  who  come  unto 
thee  by  him. 

We  would  also  acknowledge  Jesus  as  our 
King,  to  subdue  us  to  himself,  to  rule  and  defend 
us,  and  to  restrain  and  conquer  all  his  and  our 
enemies.  Oh,  do  thou  assist  us  to  bring  into 
captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ  Make  us  willing  in  the  day  of  his  power. 
Let  us  not  be  the  slaves  of  sin,  but  the  servants 
of  Jesus,  for  his  burden  is  light  and  his  yoke  is 
easy  to  all  who  put  their  trust  in  him.  May  he 
protect  us  from  the  allurements  of  the  world,  the 
seductions  of  the  flesh  and  assaults  of  the  devil. 
And,  Lord,  grant  that  his  wisdom  and  power  may 
arrest  and  overturn*  everything  that  exalteth  it- 
self against  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Gracious  God,  recover  from  the  desolations  of 
the  fall  this  world  that  lieth  in  wickedness.  May 
the  ungodly,  to  whom  the  instructions  of  thy  word 
and  the  ministrations  of  thy  Spirit  are  now  sent, 
be  made  wise  unto  salvation.  May  those  who 
now  rejoice  in  iniquity  be  persuaded  and  enabled 
to  glory  in  nothing  save  in  the  cross  of  Christ 
And,  Lord,  vouchsafe  that  those  who  now  will 
not  have  Jesus  to  reign  over  them  may  be 
brought  to  desire  that  thy  kingdom  may  come 
and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  done  in 
heaven. 

Lord,  give  these  petitions  gracious  audience 
through  Him  whom  we  would  take  as  our  Proph- 


32  HOME    WORSHIP. 

et,  Priest  and  King.  To  whom,  with  thee  and  the 
Holy  Spirit,  one  God,  shall  be  the  praise  of  every 
blessing  for  ever.  Amen. 


PR  A  YER. 

LORD,  teach  us  to  pray  and  quicken  us  by  thy 
Spirit  that  we  may  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in 
truth.  Oh,  let  this  service  be  the  offering  up  of 
our  desires  unto  thee  for  things  agreeable  to  thy 
will,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  with  confession  of  sin 
and  thankful  acknowledgment  of  mercies. 

Oh,  grant  unto  us  a  conviction  of  thy  fullness 
and  willingness  to  bless  ;  for  giving  doth  not  im- 
poverish thee  and  withholding  doth  not  make 
thee  rich,  and  thou  hast  graciously  taught  us 
that  him  that  cometh  unto  thee  thou  wilt  in  no- 
wise cast  out.  Do  thou  show  us  that  we  are  full 
of  wants  without  any  ability  to  supply  them,  and 
that  we  live  continually  at  the  expense  of  thy 
goodness.  Teach  us,  we  pray  thee,  the  various 
and  numerous  wants  of  our  dependent  nature, 
and  give  us  such  a  craving  sense  of  our  need, 
such  a  conviction  that  thou  art  the  only  Source 
of  relief,  and  such  confidence  in  thy  promises, 
that  prayer  shall  become  the  burden  of  our 
thoughts  and  the  food  of  our  souls. 

Merciful  Father,  assist  us  to  bring  all  our  de- 
sires into  conformity  with  thy  will.  Suffer  us  not 


PR  A  YER.  33 

to  seek  anything  inconsistent  with  thy  holy 
pleasure.  Govern  us  in  relation  to  the  things 
we  pray  for  by  the  precepts  of  thy  word,  by  the 
teachings  of  thy  Spirit,  and  by  the  leadings  of 
thy  providence.  Oh,  dispose  us  to  submit  every 
object  of  hope  and  every  pursuit  of  desire  to  thy 
control,  and  turn  us  away  from  beginning  or 
continuing  or  completing  anything  on  which 
we  cannot  invoke  thy  blessing. 

We  would  present  unto  thee  all  our  petitions 
relying  on  the  merits  and  seeking  the  intercession 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  feel  that  to  plead 
our  own  worth  would  be  to  come  in  filthy  rags 
instead  of  a  robe  of  righteousness,  and  that  to  trust 
to  our  own  intercession  would  be  to  rely  on  sound- 
ing brass  and  tinkling  cymbals.  Oh,  it  is  in 
Christ  only  we  desire  to  be  found  ;  not  having 
our  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but 
the  righteousness  of  God,  which  is  by  faith  of 
Jesus  Christ  unto  all  and  upon  all  that  believe. 
It  is  in  his  advocacy  we  seek  to  stand,  for  him 
thou  always  hearest,  because  in  him  thou  art  ever 
well  pleased,  and  he  ever  liveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  those  that  come  unto  thee  by  him. 

Lord,  what  indeed  is  man  that  thou  art  mind- 
ful of  him,  or  the  son  of  man  that  thou  visitest 
him?  We  are  not  worthy  to  come  into  thy 
presence  or  to  lift  up  our  eyes  to  the  place  where 
thine  honor  dwelleth.  If  thou  hadst  dealt  with 
us  according  to  our  deserts,  we  would  now,  instead 


34  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  pleading  before  thee  with  the  hope  of  mercy, 
be  lifting  up  our  voices  where  there  is  no  answer 
of  peace  to  the  cry  of  despairing  want.  Lord, 
we  confess  we  have  done  what  thou  hast  forbid- 
den and  left  undone  what  thou  hast  commanded. 
We  have  sinned  in  thought,  word  and  deed, 
We  have  transgressed  against  the  teachings  of 
thy  word,  against  the  testimony  of  our  con- 
sciences, against  the  drawings  of  thy  love,  and 
against  the  strivings  of  the  Spirit.  Our  iniquities 
are  more  in  number  than  the  hairs  of  our  heads. 
Yet,  thanks  be  unto  thy  name !  thou  hast  told  us 
that  if  we  confess  our  sins  thou  art  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  them  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all 
unrighteousness.  We  would  lay  our  hands  on 
our  mouths  and  put  our  mouths  in  the  dust  and 
cry,  "  God,  be  merciful  to  us  sinners  !" 

Gracious  God,  we  adore  thee  that  in  the  midst 
of  deserved  wrath  thou  hast  remembered  unde- 
served mercy.  Though  our  life,  temporal  and 
eternal,  has  been  forfeited  by  our  sins,  thou  hast 
spared  us  and  lengthened  out  our  season  of  trial, 
and  thou  hast  provided  for  our  continual  wants. 
Thou  hast  preserved  us  in  health,  or  healed  us  in 
sickness  and  sheltered  us  in  danger.  Thou  hast 
offered  to  us  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  the  adoption 
of  children  and  joint-heirship  with  Christ  in  the 
blessed  inheritance  of  eternity.  Oh,  teach  us 
more  and  more  the  value  of  thy  goodness.  Fill 
our  hearts  with  gratitude  and  love  to  thee  for 


CREATION,   PROVIDENCE,  ETC.  35 

thine  unnumbered,  unmerited  blessings.  May 
they  lead  us  to  repentance,  humility  and  faith, 
and  to  consecrate  them  and  ourselves  to  thy 
service  and  glory. 

Imbue  all  thy  followers,  O  Lord,  with  the  spirit 
of  prayer.  May  they  seek  thee  as  a  present  help 
in  every  hour  of  need,  and  wrestle  as  did  thy  ser- 
vant of  old,  who  had  power  with  thee  and  pre- 
vailed. And  oh,  do  thou  vouchsafe  that  many 
who  now  refuse  to  acknowledge  and  worship  thee 
may  learn  the  sweet  delight  of  prayer  and  come 
to  thee  receiving  the  end  of  their  faith,  even  the 
salvation  of  their  souls. 

Our  Father,  again  we  ask  thee  to  teach  us  to 
pray,  and  do  thou  assure  us  that,  if  earthly 
parents  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their 
children,  much  more  will  our  heavenly  Father 
give  his  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him.  Hear  these 
our  petitions,  and  accept  our  praise,  for  the  Re- 
deemer's sake.  Amen. 


CREATION,  PROVIDENCE  AND  REDEMPTION. 

LORD,  thou  hast  said  that  if  any  man  lack  wis- 
dom let  him  ask  of  thee,  and  it  shall  be  given 
him.  We  come  before  thee  now  to  ask  thee  to 
help  us  to  understand  the  wonders  of  thy  works, 
the  wisdom  of  thy  ways  and  the  mercy  of  thy 
grace.  Vouchsafe  unto  us  the  teachings  of  thy 


36  HOME    WORSHIP, 

Spirit,  that  we  may  learn  and  love  and  obey  the 
truth. 

Great  Builder  of  the  universe,  in  the  begin- 
ning thou  didst  create  the  heavens  and  the  earth, 
making  all  things  out  of  nothing  by  the  word  of 
thy  power  in  the  space  of  six  days,  and  all  very 
good.  Do  thou  assist  us  to  acknowledge  thy 
power  and  wisdom  and  goodness  as  they  are 
shown  in  the  works  of  thy  hands.  Lo !  the 
heavens  declare  thy  glory,  and  the  firmament 
showeth  thy  handiwork.  Day  unto  day  uttereth 
speech,  and  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge. 
There  is  no  speech  nor  language  where  their  voice 
is  not  heard.  Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all 
the  earth,  and  their  words  to  the  ends  of  the 
world.  All  thy  works  praise  thee. 

Lord,  thou  didst  make  man  in  thine  own  image, 
in  knowledge,  righteousness  and  holiness.  But  he 
fell  from  that  holy  and  happy  estate  by  sinning 
against  thee,  and  now  all  that  dwell  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth  are  by  nature  the  children  of 
wrath ;  yea,  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and 
travaileth  in  pain  because  of  transgression.  O 
God,  redeem  the  works  of  thy  power  from  their 
degeneracy.  May  this  earth  be  renewed  with 
the  beauty  of  Eden.  Breathe  into  man  the  breath 
of  life,  and  make  him  a  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

And,  great  God,  make  us  thoughtful  of  the 
truth  that  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  which  are 


CREATION,  PROVIDENCE,  ETC.  37 

now,  are  kept  in  store,  reserved  unto  fire  against 
the  day  of  judgment  and  perdition  of  ungodly 
men.  Nevertheless,  may  we,  according  to  thy 
promise,  look  for  a  new  heaven  and  new  earth, 
wherein  dwelleth  righteousness. 

Great  God,  we  would  acknowledge  thy  most 
holy,  wise  and  powerful  preserving  and  governing 
all  things.  Thou  hast  prepared  thy  throne  in 
the  heavens,  and  thy  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 
Thou  doest  thy  will  in  the  army  of  heaven  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  earth.  Thou  callest  the 
stars  by  name  and  numberest  the  hairs  of  our 
heads ;  thou  upholdest  the  sparrow  and  givest 
strength  to  the  seraph,  and  in  thee  all  things 
live  and  move  and  have  their  being.  Oh,  do 
thou  enable  us  to  acknowledge  thy  hand  in  all 
the  movements  of  providence.  Make  us  feel  our 
continual  dependence  on  thee  and  our  obligations 
to  thy  preserving  and  governing  wisdom.  Suffer 
us  not  to  impeach  thy  goodness  or  power  or  wis- 
dom in  any  of  thy  ways.  Make  us  submissive  to 
every  token  of  thy  will.  Enable  us  to  praise  thee 
in  joy  and  in  grief,  for  it  is  the  Lord  that  giveth 
and  the  Lord  that  taketh  away.  Let  it  be  our 
consolation  and  rejoicing  that  thou  makest  all 
things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  thee.  Blessed  be  thy  name,  thy  dominion 
is  an  everlasting  dominion,  and  thy  kingdom  is 
from  generation  to  generation. 

Gracious    God,   though    thou    hast   magnified 


38  HOME    WORSHIP. 

every  attribute  of  thy  character  in  the  works  of 
creation  and  in  the  ways  of  providence,  yet  thou 
hast  infinitely  transcended  all  these  in  the  plan 
of  redemption.  For  in  this  thou  hast  gathered, 
as  into  a  bright  and  burning  centre,  the  excellency 
of  thy  power,  wisdom,  holiness,  justice,  goodness 
and  truth.  Oh,  do  thou  give  us  enlarged  and 
soul-moving  views  of  all  that  relates  to  the 
glorious  plan  of  salvation  through  a  Redeemer. 
Make  us  realize  the  depravity  into  which  our  race 
had  fallen,  and  that  if  thou  hadst  not  laid  help 
upon  One  mighty  to  save,  all  men  would  have 
had  their  part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with  fire 
and  brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death.  Make 
us  understand  something  of  that  love  whereby 
thou  didst  give  thine  only  begotten  Son  that  who- 
soever believeth  on  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life,  and  which  thou  hast  com- 
mended to  us  in  that,  while  we  were  sinners, 
Christ  died  for  us.  Show  us  our  sins  in  the 
light  of  the  cross,  and  make  us  exceedingly 
humble  and  penitent  that  our  transgressions  re- 
quired such  an  amazing  sacrifice  to  save  us  from 
the  penalty  of  our  iniquity.  Teach  us  our  duty 
in  view  of  a  bleeding  Saviour ;  for  if  Christ  has 
died  for  us,  we  should  not  live  for  ourselves,  but 
consecrate  all  we  have  and  all  we  are  to  his 
glory. 

O  Lord,  if  there  be  any  who  deny  thy  being, 
recover  them  from  their  impiety   and  lead  them 


JUSTIFICATION,  ADOPTION,  ETC.  39 

to  adore  and  trust  dice  as  the  living  God ;  and 
subvert  the  dominion  of  practical  atheism  in  the 
hearts  of  all  men.  Have  mercy  on  those  who 
forget  thy  providence  jn  the  ways  of  life,  and 
make  them  the  willing  subjects  of  thy  power. 
And  do  thou  show  the  strength  and  excellency 
of  redeeming  love  in  adding  multitudes  to  thy 
peculiar  people,  who  will  serve  thee  here  in 
newness  of  life  and  enjoy  in  thee  hereafter  the 
blessings  of  an  everlasting  salvation.  In  the 
name  of  Jesus,  amen. 


JUSTIFICATION,  ADOPTION  AX^D  SAXCTIFI- 

CATIOOf. 

OCR  Father  in  heaven,  we  thank  thee  for  the 
watchful  care  which  protects  us  and  for  the 
abundant  bounty  which  provides  for  us.  But 
we  would  feel  that  we  owe  thee  an  unspeakably 
greater  thanksgiving  for  the  blessings  of  salvation. 
Yet  if  we  neglect  or  refuse  these  mercies  of 
thy  grace,  how  great  will  be  our  condemnation ! 
Lord,  we  have  come,  therefore,  to  thee  to  suppli- 
cate thee  to  make  us  partakers  of  the  redemp- 
tion purchased  by  Christ  Oh,  let  thy  Spirit 
convince  us  of  our  sin  and  misery,  enlighten  our 
minds  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ  and  renew  our 
wills,  and  thus  persuade  and  enable  us  to  embrace 
Jesus  Christ  freely  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel. 


40  HOME    WORSHIP, 

And  do  thou  bestow  on  us  the  benefits  which 
those  partake  of  in  this  life  who  are  effectually 
called  by  the  work  of  thy  Holy  Spirit. 

Grant  us  clear  and  scriptural  and  saving  views 
of  the  great  and  cardinal  doctrine  of  justifica- 
tion. Show  us  that  it  is  an  act  of  thy  free  grace, 
wherein  thou  pardonest  all  our  sins  and  accept 
us  as  righteous  in  thy  sight  only  for  the  right- 
eousness of  Christ  imputed  to  us  and  receiv- 
ed by  faith  alone.  Make  us  feel  that  we  have 
not  merited,  and  never  could  merit,  this  exercise 
of  thy  goodness,  for  even  the  sins  of  our  best 
services  are  more  than  enough  to  condemn  us. 
Lay  not  righteousness  to  the  line  nor  judgment  to 
the  plummet,  but  grant  us  redemption  through  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  the  forgiveness  of  sins  according 
to  the  riches  of  thy  grace.  As  thou  hast  made 
Christ  the  end  of  the  law  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth,  grant  us  that  faith  in  him  by  which  we 
shall  be  invested  with  his  righteousness  and  stand 
before  thee  accepted  in  the  Beloved.  Oh,  give 
us  confidence  in  him  as  a  living  Saviour  who  has 
risen  again  for  our  justification.  And  grant  that 
our  trust  in  him  may  be  such  as  shall  result  in 
that  open  acknowledgment  and  acquittal  in  the 
day  of  judgment  which  will  be  followed  by  the 
full  enjoyment  of  God  to  all  eternity. 

Gracious  Lord,  teach  us  the  nature  and  blessed-- 
ness of  that  adoption,  which  is  also  an  act  of  thy 
free  grace,  by  which  those  whom  thou  hast  justi- 


JUSTIFICATION,  ADOPTION,  ETC.  4! 

fied  are  received  into  the  number  and  have  a 
right  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  sons  of  God. 
Oh,  give  us  the  spirit  of  adoption,  by  which  we 
may  cry,  Abba,  Father !  We  are  indeed  thy 
children  by  creation,  but  we  would  seek  a  better 
and  nobler  filial  relation,  even  that  by  which  thou 
wouldst  be  to  us  a  reconciled  God  and  Father  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Make  it  a  spirit  of  ten- 
derness and  reverence,  of  gratitude  and  love,  of 
obedience  and  zeal.  May  it  give  us  access  to  thy 
throne  with  a  humble,  child-like  confidence,  and 
enable  us  in  every  vicissitude  to  look  up  to  thee 
as  infinitely  able  and  willing  to  bless  us  with  thy 
paternal  gifts.  And  grant,  we  pray  thee,  that  thy 
Spirit  may  bear  witness  with  our  spirits  that  we 
are  thy  children  ;  and  if  children,  then  heirs  and 
joint-heirs  with  Christ  in  that  inheritance  which 
is  incorruptible  and  undefiled  and  that  fadeth 
not  away. 

Lord,  consummate  in  us  the  present  benefit? 
of  salvation  by  performing  in  us  that  work  of  thy 
free  grace  whereby  those  whom  thou  hast  justi- 
fied and  adopted  are  renewed  in  the  whole  man 
after  the  image  of  God,  and  are  enabled  more  and 
more  to  die  unto  sin  and  live  unto  righteousness. 
Show  us  the  prevailing  impurity  of  our  hearts 
and  our  continual  need  of  the  influence  of  thy 
Spirit  to  cleanse  us  from  our  wickedness.  Give 
us  deep  repentance  over  the  remembrance  of  past 
sinfulness  and  strong  abhorrence  for  every  temp- 


42  HOME    WORSHIP. 

tation  of  present  iniquity.  Make  us  feel  all  the 
motives  drawn  from  heaven,  earth  and  hell  that 
should  deter  us  from  transgression.  Oh,  give  us 
the  spirit  of  holiness.  Transform  us,  we  pray 
thee,  by  the  renewing  of  our  minds,  and  enable 
us  to  go  from  strength  to  strength,  that  our  path 
may  be  as  the  shining  light,  which  shineth  more 
and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

O  Lord,  let  the  inquiry,  "  How  shall  man  be 
just  with  God  ?"  agitate  the  consciences  of  many 
who  have  not  made  their  peace  with  thee.  And 
may  the  Spirit  answer  it,  saying,  "  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved." 
Bring  back,  we  beseech  thee,  many  who  are  now 
wandering  as  prodigals  from  thee,  confessing  that 
they  have  sinned  against  heaven  and  in  thy  sight, 
and  are  not  worthy  to  be  called  thy  children. 
And,  Lord,  do  thou  sanctify  many  hearts  that 
are  now  the  shrines  of  Satan's  service,  and  make 
them  temples  of  the  living  God. 

Great  God,  we  would  ascribe  the  kingdom, 
power  and  glory  to  thee  in  all  things.  We  would 
take  our  encouragement  in  prayer  from  thee  only, 
asking  all  in  the  name  of  Christ.  And  now,  in 
humble  token  of  our  desire  and  assurance  of 
being  heard,  we  say,  Amen. 


GOSPEL  BLESSINGS.  43 

GOSPEL  BLESSINGS. 

ASSC*AXCZ  or  GOD'S  LOVE,  PEACE  OF  COXSOESCE,  ETC. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  the  eyes  of  all  are 
unto  thee.  and  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due 
season.  But  for  those  who  hunger  and  thirst 
after  righteousness  thou  hast  richer  gifts  of 
mercy  than  food  or  raiment,  or  anything  that 
can  gratify  the  outward  senses  of  thy  creatures. 
Lord,  we  would  come  to  thee  with  a  sincere  and 
humble  confidence  to  seek  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
that  assurance  of  thy  love,  that  peace  of  con- 
science, joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  increase  of  grace 
and  perseverance  therein  to  the  end,  which  in 
this  life  do  accompany  or  flow  from  thy  justify- 
ing, adopting  and  sanctifying  grace. 

Thou  art  a  God  of  love.  We  have  indeed 
shared  abundantly  in  thy  tender  mercies,  which 
are  over  all  thy  works,  but  we  would  seek  a  per- 
sonal and  saving  interest  in  that  great  act  of  thy 
love  which  thou  hast  commended  to  us  in  that, 
while  we  were  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 
Grant  us  through  his  merits  a  well-grounded  as- 
surance of  thy  favor.  Enable  us  to  say,  "  Though 
thou  wast  angry  with  us,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away,  and  thou  comfortest  us."  May  we  regard 
thee  as  a  present  help  in  every  hour  of  need,  and 
be  persuaded  that  thou  art  able  to  keep  that 
which  we  commit  to  thee  until  these  foretastes 
of  thy  love  shall  be  exchanged  for  thine  open 


44  HOME    WORSHIP. 

presence,  where  there  is  fullness  of  joy  and  pleas- 
ures for  ever. 

Lord,  vouchsafe  unto  us  a  conscience  void  of 
offence  toward  God  and  man.  We  thank  thee 
that  thou  hast  implanted  in  us  that  monitor  to 
warn  us  against  sin  and  to  reprove  us  for  trans- 
gression. Oh,  do  thou  give  it  activity,  strength 
and  purity.  Let  thy  will,  as  exhibited  in  thy 
word,  be  the  rule  of  its  actions.  May  thy  Spirit 
cleanse  it  from  error  and  sin  and  animate  it  with 
right  knowledge  and  holy  power.  Grant  our  con- 
sciences peace  toward  thee  through  the  aton- 
ing blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  give 
us  the  blessedness  of  them  to  whom  thou  im- 
putest  no  iniquity,  whose  sins,  though  they  be  as 
scarlet,  shall  be  white  as  snow,  and  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson  shall  be  as  wool. 

Grant  us  that  joy  which  is  the  fruit  of  the  bless- 
ed Spirit.  Reveal  thyself  unto  us  as  thou  dost 
not  unto  the  world.  Enable  us  to  rejoice  m 
Christ  as  our  Saviour.  Give  us  the  glad  spirit  of 
adoption,  by  which  we  may  cry,  "  Abba,  Father !" 
May  we  delight  in  thy  word  as  one  that  findeth 
great  spoil.  Cause  us  to  love  the  habitation  of 
thy  house,  and  let  all  the  means  of  grace  be  to 
our  souls  as  rain  upon  the  new-mown  grass 
and  as  showers  that  water  the  earth.  Make  it 
our  privilege  to  verify  thy  word  that  it  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  Comfort  and 
prosper  our  souls  by  the  communion  of  saints. 


GOSPEL   BLESSINGS.  45 

Gladden  our  hearts  by  the  frequent  and  extensive 
triumphs  of  the  gospel.  And  oh,  do  thou  quick- 
en and  rejoice  us  by  clear  and  refreshing  contem- 
plations of  the  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Lord,  assist  us  to  grow  in  grace.  May  we 
hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  and  desire 
the  sincere  milk  of  thy  word  that  we  may  grow 
thereby.  Give  us  an  increasing  purity  of  motive, 
strength  of  principle,  abasement  of  self  and 
loathing  of  sin.  May  we  seek  to  give  strength 
to  every  godly  principle  within  us  by  habitual 
industry  in  thy  service,  by  exercising  ourselves 
unto  godliness  and  always  abounding  in  the  work 
of  the  Lord.  Be  graciously  pleased  to  order  thy 
dispensations,  whether  of  prosperity  or  of  ad- 
versity, so  that  they  shall  promote  our  spiritual 
good.  Oh,  do  thou  enable  us  to  go  from  strength 
to  strength"  and  change  us  from  glory  to  glory. 

Gracious  God,  let  us  not  be  of  those  that  draw 
back  unto  perdition,  but  of  them  that  believe 
unto  the  saving  of  the  soul.  Enable  us  to  con- 
tinue in  all  things  that  are  written  in  the  book  of 
the  law  to  do  them.  Help  us  to  cast  aside  every 
weight  and  the  sin  that  doth  so  easily  beset  us, 
and  to  run  our  race  with  patience,  looking  unto 
Jesus  as  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith.  Im- 
bue us  with  courage  and  strength  to  overcome  all 
the  hindrances  which  Satan  or  the  world  or  our 
own  hearts  may  cast  in  our  way.  Teach  us  that 
they  only  who  endure  unto  the  end  shall  be 


46  HOME    WORSHIP. 

saved.  Oh,  help  us  to  press  on  toward  the  mark 
for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling  in  Jesus  Christ. 
And  then,  in  that  inheritance  which  is  incorruptible 
and  undefiled  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  we  will 
praise  thee  for  the  power  of  thy  grace,  by  which 
we  shall  have  been  kept  through  faith  unto  sal- 
vation. 

Have  mercy  on  those  who  know  nothing  of 
thy  precious  saving  love ;  whose  consciences 
testify  that  they  are  still  in  the  bonds  of  iniq- 
uity ;  who  grieve  the  Holy  Ghost ;  who  increase 
in  transgression  ;  and  who  are  urging  their  way 
through  light  and  love  down  to  destruction.  Oh, 
turn  them  from  the  error  of  their  ways  and  lead 
them  in  the  paths  of  righteousness,  for  thy  name's 
sake,  amen. 


THE  BEATITUDES. 

GREAT  GOD,  to  whom  shall  we  go  but  unto 
thee?  Thou  only  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life. 
Thou  art  the  source  of  every  favor.  Thy  bless- 
ing maketh  rich,  and  bringeth  no  sorrow  with 
it. 

Lord,  grant  us  the  blessedness  of  the  poor  in 
spirit,  who  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
Oh,  it  becomes  us  to  .  humble  ourselves  before 
thee  and  confess  our  unworthiness  and  ill-desert. 
We  are  ignorant,  not  knowing  what  a  day  may 


THE  BEATITUDES.  47 

bring  forth.  We  are  helpless,  not  being  able  to 
make  one  hair  of  our  head  either  white  or  Mack. 
We  are  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  and  even 
in  our  best  estate,  when  thy  Spirit  has  wrought 
upon  our  hearts,  it  becomes  us  to  say,  *'  God.  be 
merciful  to  us  sinners."  Lord,  what  is  man,  that 
thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  and  what  is  the  son 
of  man,  that  thou  shouldst  visit  him  ? 

Lord,  give  us  the  blessedness  of  those  that 
mourn,  who  shall  be  comforted.  Give  us  that 
contrite  heart  which  in  thy  sight  is  of  great  price. 
Speak  to  each  of  us  those  precious  words,  "  Be  of 
good  cheer ;  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee."  Oh,  lead 
us  to  thee  in  every  pain  that  distresses  the  body 
or  vexes  the  spirit.  Soothe  our  sorrows  and 
sanctify  them  unto  us.  Recompense  us  in  all  of 
them  by  the  light  of  thy  countenance.  Suffer  us 
not  to  faint  when  we  are  rebuked  of  thee,  but  give 
us  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning, 
and  the  garments  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of 
heaviness. 

Lord,  vouchsafe  unto  us  the  blessedness  of  the 
meek,  who  shall  inherit  the  earth.  Restrain  us, 
we  pray  thee,  from  the  exercise  of  a  violent 
and  overbearing  temper.  Break  down  the  native 
stubbornness  and  resentment  of  our  hearts,  and 
give  us  that  childlike  spirit  which  knows  no  will 
but  that  of  its  heavenly.  Father.  Teach  us  that 
he  who  ruleth  his  own  spirit  is  greater  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city.  Give  us  the  blessings  of 


48  HOME    WORSHIP. 

those  whom  thou  guidest  in  judgment,  and  beauti- 
fiest  with  salvation,  and  makest  the  dwelling-place 
of  thy  power  and  mercy. 

Bestow  on  us  the  blessedness  of  those  that 
hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  who  shall 
be  filled.  We  would  remember  that  man  liv- 
eth  not  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that 
proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Let  us 
not  be  anxious  what  we  shall  eat  and  drink  and 
wherewithal  we  shall  be  clothed,  but  incline  us 
to  seek  first  thy  kingdom,  and  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  to  us.  Lord,  feed  us  with  heav- 
enly manna.  Give  us  the  bread  of  life,  that  we 
may  eat  and  live  for  ever. 

Give  us  the  blessedness  of  the  merciful,  who 
shall  receive  mercy.  Oh,  let  the  same  heart 
of  compassion  that  was  in  Christ- Jesus  be  also  in 
us,  for  he  came  to  this  world  of  woe  to  save  those 
that  were  ready  to  perish.  Let  us  never  fail  to  pity 
the  wants  and  woes  of  our  fellow-creatures.  Suf- 
fer us  not  to  stop  our  ears  to  the  cry  of  the  needy 
nor  to  turn  away  our  eyes  from  them  that  are 
stricken  with  misery,  and  let  us  not  pity  only  in 
words,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth ;  for  so  shall  we 
know  that  we  are  of  the  truth  and  assure  our 
hearts  before  thee,  whose  compassions  fail  not, 
else  we  should  be  consumed  in  thy  presence. 

Grant  us  the  blessedness  of  the  pure  in 
heart,  who  shall  see  God.  Lo,  this  is  thy  will, 
even  our  sanctification.  Oh,  preserve  us  from 


THE  BEATITUDES,  49 

sinful  thoughts,  words  and  actions.  Sanctify  us 
by  a  hope  that  purifieth,  even  as  Christ  is  pure, 
by  a  love  that  seeks  conformity  with  thine  image, 
and  by  a  faith  that  looks  not  at  things  which  are 
seen  and  temporal,  but  at  those  that  are  not  seen 
and  are  eternal.  Cause  us  to  abound  in  the 
fruits  of  holiness,  without  which  no  man  can  see 
the  Lord. 

Bestow  on  us  the  blessedness  of  the  peace- 
makers, who  shall  be  called  the  children  of 
God.  Give  us  that  holy  love  which  worketh  no 
ill  to  a  neighbor,  and  which  will  incline  us  to 
regard  every  human  being  as  a  neighbor  and  a 
brother.  Dispose  and  enable  us  to  allay  and 
remove  the  feelings  of  anger  and  actions  of  strife 
among  our  fellows,  and  give  us  opportunity  and 
disposition  to  promote  peace  between  man  and 
man.  And  do  thou  extend  the  kingdom  of 
Jesus,  the  Prince  of  peace,  until  there  shall  be 
none  to  hurt  or  destroy  in  all  the  earth. 

Lord,  give  us  the  blessedness  of  those  who  are 
persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake,  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  May  we  remember  that  all 
who  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  must  suffer 
persecution.  Let  us  not  be  overcome  with  evil, 
but  overcome  evil  with  good.  In  all  such  trials 
enable  us  to  commit  the  keeping  of  our  souls  to 
thee  in  well-doing,  as  unto  a  faithful  Creator.  Let 
us  not  wonder  nor  complain,  as  though  some 
strange  thing  had  happened  unto  us,  but  rejoice 


50  HOME    WORSHIP. 

inasmuch  as  we  are  partakers  of  Christ's  suffer- 
ings, that  when  his  glory  shall  be  revealed  we 
may  be  made  glad  also  with  exceeding  joy. 

Our  Father  in  heaven,  give  us  in  all  things 
thy  favor,  which  is  life,  and  thy  loving-kindness, 
which  is  better  than  life,  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Amen. 


MEANS  OF  GRACE. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  we  acknowledge  thy 
goodness  in  all  thy  ways.  We  thank  thee  for  our 
food,  our  raiment,  our  home,  our  friends,  and  for 
all  those  comforts  which  make  life  pleasant.  But 
we  would  thank  thee  more  for  those  means  of 
grace  which  thou  art  employing  in  the  convic- 
tion, conversion  and  sanctification  of  mankind. 
Oh,  do  thou  grant  us,  for  Christ's  sake,  a  full 
enjoyment  and  profitable  use  of  them. 

We  bless  thee  for  the  gift  of  thy  word,  which 
is  able  to  redeem  us  from  the  ignorance  of  nature 
and  make  us  wise  unto  salvation.  Lead  us  to 
understand  and  love  and  obey  the  truth.  Let 
the  entrance  of  thy  word  give  us  light,  and  do 
thou  make  it  a  lamp  to  our  feet  and  a  light  to  our 
path.  Let  thy  testimonies  be  our  delight,  and  be 
esteemed  by  us  more  than  our  necessary  food. 
When  our  souls  cleave  to  the  dust,  quicken  thou 
us  according  to  thy  word,  and  enlarge  our  hearts 


MEAA-S  Of  GRACE.  51 

that  we  may  nm  in  the  way  of  thy  command- 
ments. When  our  souls  melt  for  heaviness, 
strengthen  thou  us  according  to  thy  word,  and 
may  we  find  that  it  was  good  for  us  to  be  afflicted, 
that  we  might  learn  thy  statutes.  Make  us  not 
only  hearers  and  readers  of  thy  word,  but  doers 
of  it  also,  receiving  the  blessing  of  the  undefiled 
in  the  way,  who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord. 
Suffer  us  not  to  incur  the  curse  of  him  who  con- 
tinueth  not  in  all  things  that  are  written  in  the 
book  of  the  law  to  do  them.  Make  us  compan- 
ions of  all  that  fear  thee  and  walk  in  thy  precepts. 
O  Lord,  hide  thy  word  in  our  hearts,  that  we 
may  not  sin  against  thee,  and  sanctify  us  by  thy 
truth :  thy  word  is  truth. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  a  preached  gospeL 
Thou  hast  given  us  this  treasure  in  earthen  ves- 
sels, that  the  excellency  of  the  power  might  be  of 
God ;  and  it  has  pleased  thee,  by  the  foolishness 
of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  believe.  Oh, 
help  us  to  discharge  our  duties  in  relation  to  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation.  May  we  listen  to  this 
dispensation  of  thy  word  with  the  culture  of 
prayer,  the  preparation  of  heart,  the  hearing  of 
faith  and  the  purpose  of  obedience,  receiving 
with  meekness  the  engrafted  word  as  that  which 
ministers  grace  to  its  hearers.  Incline  us  to  pray 
for  thy  servants  that  they  may  have  a  divine 
unction,  and  that  their  work  may  be  in  demon- 
stration of.  the  Spirit  and  of  power. 


52  HOME    WORSHIP. 

We  bless  thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  Sabbath,  which 
thou  hast  made  for  man,  with  all  its  privileges  of 
praise  and  prayer  and  instruction,  by  which  thy 
saints  are  built  up  in  faith  and  sinners  are 
brought  from  darkness  into  light.  May  we  ever 
remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy. 
Grant  that  we  may  be  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's 
day,  worshiping  thee  in  all  its  exercises  in 
spirit  and  in  truth.  Oh,  let  it  always  be  a 
precious  season,  wherein  thy  love  shall  be  richly 
manifested  to  us  and  our  affections  hold  free  and 
holy  and  rejoicing  communion  with  thy  Spirit. 
May  we  be  prepared  by  its  sanctifying  duties  and 
reviving  pleasures  for  serving  thee  and  mankind 
better  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  Oh,  make  it  a 
blessed  type  of  that  eternal  Sabbath  which  is 
reserved  for  the  pure  in  heart  in  regions  of  un- 
mingled  bliss. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  sacraments  of  the 
gospel,  by  which  thou  hast  given  us  visible  and 
sensible  tokens  of  thy  covenant  of  mercy.  Give 
us  grace  ever  to  look  through  the  sign  to  the 
thing  signified,  and  to  use  it  as  a  pledge  of  the 
love  and  faithfulness  of  a  covenant-keeping  God. 
Giant  us  repentance,  love  and  new  obedience, 
lest  in  taking  afresh  on  us  the  vows  of  thy  house 
we  may  bring  judgment  on  our  souls. 

We  bless  thee  for  the  institution  of  prayer. 
Oh,  let  it  ever  be  regarded  by  us  as  an  incum- 
bent duty  and  an  invaluable  privilege.  May  we 


MEANS  OF  GRACE.  53 

love  the  public  and  social  supplications  of  thy 
saints.  Let  us  not  withhold  incense  from  the 
family  altar.  May  we  delight  to  hold  converse 
with  thee  where  there  is  no  other  eye  to  watch 
and  no  other  ear  to  hear,  and  where  we  shall 
feel  that  we  are  alone  with  God.  And  give  us, 
gracious  Father,  that  spirit  of  ejaculatory  prayer 
which  will  purify  every  current  of  our  thoughts 
and  sanctify  every  business  of  our  lives.  Oh, 
may  we  wrestle  with  thee  as  did  thy  servant  of 
old  who  had  power  with  God  and  prevailed. 

Give  us  grace  to  keep  seasons  of  feasting 
and  of  thanksgiving,  so  that  they  may  be  times 
of  refreshing  from  thy  presence.  Give  us  a  sanc- 
tified use  of  meditation  and  self-examination,  and 
lead  us  to  such  fellowship  with  thy  people  as  will 
strengthen  our  hearts  and  encourage  our  zeal 
in  the  Christian  race. 

And,  O  Lord,  we  pray  that  these  means  of  grace 
may  be  enjoyed  by  others  in  their  fullest  extent 
and  efficacy.  Let  thy  word  have  free  course  and 
be  glorified.  Send  the  message  of  the  gospel  to 
every  destitute  community.  Make  the  Sabbath  a 
day  of  holiness  everywhere.  Let  every  admin- 
istration of  thine  ordinances  win  souls  to  Jesus. 
Multiply  greatly  the  number  of  those  that  call 
upon  thy  name.  Make  every  tongue  vocal  with 
thy  praise.  And  let  thy  kingdom  come  and  thy 
will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  done  in  heaven, 
for  Jesus'  sake.  Amen. 


54  HOME  WORSHIP. 

LIFE,  DEA  TH  AND  ETERNITY. 

O  THOU  who  hast  revealed  thyself  as  ever 
ready  to  draw  nigh  to  all  who  would  draw  nigh 
unto  thee,  help  us  to  approach  thee  at  this  time, 
and  manifest  thyself  unto  us  as  thou  dost  not 
unto  the  world.  Sprinkle  on  the  altar  where 
we  meet  thee  the  reconciling  blood  of  our  bless- 
ed Saviour,  and  give  us  through  him  that  grace 
which  will  comfort  us  in  life,  support  us  in  death 
and  be  our  rejoicing  through  eternity. 

We  would  come  to  thee  as  the  Author  and 
Owner  of  our  being.  We  supplicate  thee  to  teach 
us  the  shortness  and  uncertainty  of  human  life. 
We  are  but  of  yesterday ;  our  breath  is  in  our 
nostrils,  and  our  days  on  earth  are  a  shadow. 
Yet  we  would  remember  that  our  life,  though  it 
be  but  a  span,  is  given  us  as  a  probation  for 
eternity.  Oh,  give  us  grace  to  fulfill  all  the 
duties  for  the  discharge  of  which  thou  hast  given 
us  existence.  Grant  that  we  may  walk  circum- 
spectly, redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are 
evil.  While  we  grow  in  age  enable  us  to  grow 
in  grace.  While  we  travel  through  this  wilder- 
ness guide  us  by  the  fiery,  cloudy  pillar,  feed  our 
hunger  with  manna  from  heaven,  and  quench  our 
thirst  with  water  from  the  smitten  rock.  Let  us 
not  be  anxious  for  length  of  days  nor  grow 
weary  of  our  season  of  trial.  Make  us  con 
tented  that  all  our  times  are  in  thy  hands,  and 


LIFE,  DEATH  AND  ETERNITY.  55 

willing  to  wait  all  the  days  of  our  appointed  time 
till  our  change  comes. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  us,  in  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  life,  such  preparation  of  heart  that  whether  we 
five  we  may  live  unto  the  Lord,  or  whether  we 
die  we  may  die  unto  the  Lord,  so  that  whether 
living  or  dying  we  may  be  the  Lord's.  Make  us 
ever  mindful  of  the  solemn  truth  that  it  is  ap- 
pointed unto  all  men  once  to  die.  May  we  ac- 
custom ourselves  to  look  upon  death  as  the  great 
crisis  of  our  being  which  will  determine  our  des- 
tinies for  ever.  He  whom  it  finds  unjust  and  filthy 
shall  be  unjust  and  filthy  still,  and  he  whom  it 
finds  righteous  and  holy  shall  be  righteous  and 
holy  still.  Whatsoever,  therefore,  our  hands  now 
find  to  do,  may  we  do  with  our  might,  since 
there  is  no  work  nor  device  nor  wisdom  in  the 
grave,  whither  we  go.  Oh,  do  thou  train  us  to 
such  habits  of  obedience  to  thy  will,  and  trust  in 
thy  dealings  and  faith  in  thy  promises,  that,  while 
we  look  upon  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
as  one  that  must  be  dissolved,  we  may  rejoice  in 
the  hope  that  we  shall  have  a  building  of  God,  a 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 
When  we  are  called  to  walk  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  be  thou  our  rod  and 
staff,  to  comfort  us ;  and  when  our  heart  and  flesh 
fail,  be  thou  the  strength  of  our  heart  and  our  por- 
tion for  ever.  Oh,  let  us  die  the  death  of  the 
righteous,  and  let  our  last  end  be  like  his. 


$6  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Gracious  God,  make  us  feel  the  powers  of  the 
world  to  come.  Oh,  may  we  realize  that  after 
death  cometh  the  judgment,  when  our  condition 
will  be  fixed  in  either  heaven  or  hell ;  enjoying 
the  light  of  thy  countenance  or  cast  out  from  thy 
presence  for  ever ;  rejoicing  in  the  company  of 
the  good  or  enduring  the  fellowship  of  the 
wicked  ;  bathing  in  the  fountain  of  eternal  bliss 
or  plunging  in  the  burning  lake  of  undying  woe. 
We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  revealed  eternal 
things  to  us  and  shown  us  how  we  may  escape 
everlasting  death  and  obtain  eternal  life.  Do  thou 
give  us  an  increasing. impression  of  the  worth  of 
the  soul,  which  indeed  thou  hast  made  in  the 
image  of  thine  own  eternity,  with  powers  that  are 
capable  of  eternal  progress  in  holiness,  know- 
ledge and  happiness,  or  in  sin,  error  and  woe. 
Oh,  what  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the 
whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  Lord,  suffer 
none  of  us  to  learn  the  worth  of  the  soul  by  its 
everlasting  loss,  but  by  its  eternal  gain.  Con- 
vince us  now  of  a  judgment  to  come.  Justify, 
adopt  and  sanctify  us  through  the  infinite  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ.  And  oh,  do  thou  seal  us  now 
by  the  Spirit  until  the  day  of  redemption,  and 
then  let  an  entrance  be  ministered  unto  us  abun- 
dantly into  thy  kingdom,  where  our  tongues  shall 
utter  a  ceaseless  anthem  of  praise,  our  under- 
standings enjoy  an  unclouded  knowledge  of  truth, 
and  our  souls  delight  in  a  perpetual  feast  of  love. 


PRAYER.  57 

Heavenly  Father,  excite  those  who  are  living 
thoughtless  of  the  true  value  of  life  so  to  number 
their  days  that  they  may  apply  their  hearts  unto 
wisdom,  even  that  wisdom  which  will  lead  them 
to  live  to  thy  glory.  Make  the  impenitent  anx- 
ious about  their  latter  end,  inquiring,  "  How 
shall  our  hearts  endure  and  our  hands  be  strong 
in  the  day  when  thou  wilt  deal  with  us  ?"  And 
oh,  persuade  them  to  make  their  peace  with  thee 
now,  that  in  that  trying  hour  their  fainting  hearts 
may  be  cheered  with  the  hope  of  glory.  Oh, 
grant  that  eternity,  with  its  fullness  of  joy  and  its 
depth  of  woe,  may  persuade  and  admonish  guilty 
souls  to  seek  thy  favor  ere  the  gates  of  eternal 
bliss  be  shut  upon  them  and  their  redemption 
cease  for  even 

Lord,  grant  us  such  a  use  of  life,  such  a  meet- 
ing with  death,  and  such  a  lot  in  eternity,  as 
will  redound  to  thy  glory,  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Amen. 


PRAYER. 

INVOCATION,  ADORATION,  CONFESSION,  PETITION,  PLEADING, 
THANKSGIVING  AND  BLESSING. 

O  THOU  that  hearest  and  answerest  prayer, 
give  us  a  gracious  audience  at  thy  mercy-seat  in 
the  name  of  our  blessed  Saviour. 

We  would  realize  that  there  is  an  infinite  dis- 


$8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

tance  and  an  infinite  difference  between  thee  and 
us,  for  thou  inhabitest  eternity,  while  we  dwell 
on  thy  footstool,  and  thou  art  glorious  in  holi- 
ness, fearful  in  praises,  doing  wonders,  while  we 
are  sinful,  ignoble  and  helpless.  But  we  bless 
thee  that  thou  art  thus  exalted  above  principalities 
and  powers,  that  at  thy  name  every  knee  should 
bow,  and  we  would  adore  thee  that,  whilst  thou 
art  thus  holy  and  praiseworthy  and  mighty,  thou 
art  ever  ready  to  purify  and  honor  and  strengthen 
all  who  come  to  thee  by  faith.  So  that,  instead 
of  being  driven  away  from  thy  presence  by  the 
contemplation  of  thy  dignity  and  perfection,  we 
would  rejoice  that  thou  art  so  infinitely  worthy 
of  our  adoration  and  love,  confidence  and  obedi- 
ence. 

But,  O  Most  High  and  Glorious,  it  becomes  us 
to  humble  ourselves  before  thee  in  heartfelt  con- 
fession of  unworthiness  and  ill-desert.  We  have 
sinned  against  thee  in  ways  and  times  without 
number,  in  thought,  in  word  and  in  deed,  in 
childhood,  in  youth  and  in  riper  age.  We  have 
done  what  thou  hast  forbidden,  and  have  left 
undone  what  thou  hast  commanded.  We  have 
sinned  against  our  own  conscience,  against  the 
admonitions  of  our  fellow-creatures,  against  the 
drawings  of  thy  mercies,  against  the  warnings 
of  our  afflictions,  against  the  testimonies  of  thy 
word,  and  against  the  strivings  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit.  O  Lord,  our  transgressions  are  more  in 


PRAYER.  59 

number  than  the  hairs  of  our  head;  and  if  thou 
wert  strict  to  mark  one  in  a  thousand  of  them, 
we  could  not  stand  before  thee.  But,  thanks  be 
to  thy  name !  thou  hast  told  us  that  if  we  confess 
our  sins  thou  art  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  them. 
Oh,  we  would  lay  our  hands  on  our  mouths  and 
put  our  mouths  in  the  dust,  confessing  that  we 
are  guilty  and  unclean,  and  imploring  thee  to  be 
merciful  to  us  sinners. 

O  Lord,  we  would  come  to  thee  in  the  shelter 
of  the  atonement,  that  thy  wrath  may  not  scourge 
us  away  from  thy  presence;  and  while  we  lie 
before  thee  we  would  offer  every  petition  in  the 
strength  of  die  advocacy  of  Him  who  maketh 
intercession  for  all  that  come  unto  thee  by  him. 
Do  thou  increase  our  sense  of  want  and  helpless- 
ness, for  we  are  indeed  full  of  craving  necessi- 
ties without  any  ability  to  supply  them.  Let  all 
our  desires  be  in  accordance  with  thy  will,  and  be 
animated  by  that  faith  in  thy  character  and  prom- 
ises which  thou  wilt  own  and  bless.  Gracious 
Lord,  supply  all  the  wants  of  our  bodies,  minds 
and  souls.  Bestow  on  us  neither  poverty  nor 
riches,  but  give  us  our  daily  bread,  supply  us  with 
raiment,  give  us  a  peaceful  home,  grant  us  the 
comforts  of  social  life,  keep  us  from  debasing 
ignorance  and  perplexing  error,  and  give  us  sound 
and  useful  knowledge.  Yet,  Lord,  do  thou  show 
ns  that  these  mercies,  however  needful  and  useful, 
are  not  thy  choicest  blessings,  for  die  things 


60  HOME    WORSHIP. 

which  belong  to  righteousness  are  more  in  num- 
ber and  greater  in  value  than  all  these.  Make  us 
know  and  feel  the  wants  of  our  souls,  and  do 
thou  supply  them  from  thy  fullness. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  teach  us  what  we  should 
believe  concerning  thee  and  the  duties  thou 
requirest  of  us.  We  would  remember  that  thou 
art  the  one  only,  the  living  and  true  God,  Father, 
Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  the  Maker,  Preserver  and 
Governor  of  all  things.  Oh  that  we  could  always 
remember  that  we  are  strictly  responsible  to  thee 
in  all  things,  and  that  instead  of  obeying  thee  we 
have  sinned  against  thee,  so  that  we  have  lost 
communion  with  thee,  have  been  brought  under 
thy  wrath  and  curse,  and  so  made  liable  to  all 
miseries  in  this  life,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the 
pains  of  hell  for  ever.  But  we  bless  thee  that 
thou  hast  not  left  us  to  perish  thus,  but  hast  sent, 
to  bring  us  into  an  estate  of  salvation,  a  Redeem- 
er to  be  our  Prophet,  Priest  and  King.  O  Lord, 
make  us  partakers  of  that  salvation  by  thy  Spirit. 
Give  us  grace  to  embrace  Jesus  Christ,  freely 
offered  to  us  in  the  gospel.  Justify,  adopt  and 
sanctify  us.  Give  us  an  assurance  of  thy  love, 
peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
increase  of  grace,  and  perseverance  therein  to 
the  end.  And  help  us  to  love  thee  with  all  our 
heart  and  soul  and  strength  and  mind,  and  to 
love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  But  in  all  we 
seek  to  do  we  would  feel  that  we  are  not  able 


PRAYER.  6 1 

perfectly  to  keep  thy  commandments,  but  that  we 
do  daily  break  them  in  thought,  word  and  deed, 
and  that  the  sins  of  our  best  services  are  more 
than  enough  to  condemn  us.  Teach  us  that  each 
of  our  sins  deserves  thy  wrath  and  curse,  both  in 
this  life  and  in  that  which  is  to  come,  and  that  our 
only  way  of  escape  is  to  exercise  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ,  with  repentance  unto  life,  and  to  make  a 
diligent  use  of  all  the  outward  means  whereby 
Christ  communicates  to  us  the  benefits  of  redemp- 
tion. Oh  that  we  may  so  believe  and  repent  and 
obey  as  to  enjoy  the  light  of  thy  reconciled  and 
forgiving  love  in  this  world,  and  the  joy  of  a 
perfect  salvation  in  the  world  to  come. 

O  gracious  God,  we  would  order  our  cause 
before  thee  and  would  fill  our  mouths  with  argu- 
ments. We  would  plead  with  thee,  for  the  honor 
of  thy  name,  that  thou  wouldst  glorify  thyself  in 
our  welfare.  We  would  urge  before  thee  thy 
wisdom,  power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness  and 
truth,  all  of  which  thou  canst  so  richly  display  in 
blessing  us.  We  would  mention  before  thee  thy 
mercies  in  days  that  are  past,  when  our  fathers 
cried  unto  thee  and  were  delivered,  and  when  we 
called  and  thou  didst  answer  and  strengthen  us. 
We  would  plead  thy  covenant  of  grace  and  thy 
promises  of  mercy.  We  would  urge  before  thee 
the  number  and  greatness  of  our  wants.  And 
we  would  especially  plead  before  thee  the  merits 
and  mediation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  whose 


62  HOME    WORSHIP. 

righteousness  alone  we  would  stand,  and  in 
whose  intercession  only  we  can  hope  to  be 
blessed. 

Gracious  God,  we  would  acknowledge  with 
thankful  hearts  thy  sparing  mercy  and  thy  pro- 
viding goodness — thy  mercy  which  preserves  us 
from  temporal  and  spiritual  woes,  and  thy  good- 
ness which  provides  for  the  wants  of  our  perish- 
ing bodies  and  immortal  spirits.  Suffer  us  not  to 
forget  thy  dispensing  hand  in  all  our  benefits. 
And  grant  that  every  fresh  token  of  thy  loving- 
kindness  may  bind  us  to  thee  in  an  everlasting 
covenant. 

Merciful  Father,  remember  in  mercy  those  who 
despise  thy  perfections,  who  cover  their  sins,  who 
call  not  on  thy  name,  and  who  are  thankless 
for  all  thy  mercies.  May  their  tongues  be  made 
altars  of  thy  praise,  and  their  hearts  temples  of 
thy  worship. 

Great  God,  all  thy  works  praise  thee  and  thy 
saints  bless  thee.  Make  our  hearts  devoutly  sin- 
cere, while  we  ascribe  to  thee,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
the  power,  wisdom  and  glory,  henceforth  and  for 
ever.  Amen. 


THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  render  thee  unfeigned  thanks 
that  we  have  been  brought  by  thy  distinguishing 


THE  LOJfD'S  SUPPER.  63 

mercy  near  to  another  season  of  communion  with 
thee  and  thy  people  in  the  ordinance  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  And  we  have  now  come  before 
thee  to  ask  thee,  in  the  worthy  name  of  Jesus,  to 
prepare  us  for  a  profitable  observance  of  that 
solemn  rite.  We  desire  to  feel  that  no  outward 
form  or  ceremony  of  religion  has  any  sanctifying 
or  saving  power,  but  that,  whilst  thou  hast  or- 
dained such  things  as  instrumental  helps  to  our 
feeble  senses,  thy  Spirit  only  can  give  life  and 
efficacy  to  the  use  of  them. 

Make  our  meeting  at  the  table  of  the  Re- 
deemer a  season  of  deep  and  earnest  thanks- 
giving to  thee  for  thy  sparing,  providing  and 
sanctifying  mercies.  Since  we  last  met  together 
there,  many,  very  many,  have  been  called  from 
time  to  eternity,  while  we  have  been  spared  in 
our  probation  and  still  enjoy  the  offers  of  sal- 
vation. Whilst  multitudes  have  suffered  from 
privation,  our  wants  have  all  been  supplied  and 
we  have  been  invested  with  comforts.  Whilst 
the  great  mass  of  our  fellow-creatures  have  been 
living  without  God  and  without  hope  in  the 
world,  thou  hast  taught  us  by  thy  word  and 
Spirit  what  is  the  will  of  God  for  our  salvation. 
Oh,  what  shall  we  render  thee  for  all  thy  benefits 
toward  us?  We  will  offer  thee  the  sacrifice  of 
thanksgiving  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord. 

Help  us  to  approach  that  table  as  our  spirit- 


64  HOME    WORSHIP. 

ual  passover,  in  which  we  behold  the  pledge 
of  a  covenant  of  mercy  in  the  blood  of  Christ, 
in  which  thou  givest  thy  people  visible  tokens 
that  the  condemnation  which  abides  on  the  un- 
godly shall  not  rest  on  those  upon  whom  thou 
hast  cast  the  blood  of  sprinkling,  and  in  which 
thou  teachest  them  that  this  remembrance  of 
deliverance  from  past  sin  is  a  wayfaring  symbol 
of  the  abundant  and  joyous  feasts  of  thine  upper 
sanctuary. 

Help  us,  O  Lord,  to  make  that  ordinance  the 
sacrament  of  our  allegiance  to  thee.  We  owe 
thee  our  service  because  thou  hast  made  us,  and 
for  thy  pleasure  we  were  created.  We  owe  thee 
our  allegiance  because  we  are  dependent  on  thy 
bounty.  But  above  all  we  owe  thee  our  service 
by  the  purchase  of  atoning  blood.  Grant  that 
we  may  thus  judge  that  if  Christ  has  died  for  us 
we  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  ourselves, 
but  unto  Him  who  has  died  for  us  and  risen 
again.  Oh,  may  we  consecrate  ourselves  to  thee 
with  full  purpose  of,  and  endeavor  after,  new 
obedience.  Make  us  servants  unto  thee,  that 
our  fruit  may  be  holiness  and  the  end  everlast- 
ing life. 

Bring  us  into  thy  banqueting-house  and  let 
thy  banner  over  us  be  love.  Give  us  the 
blessing  of  those  that  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness.  Feed  us  with  heavenly  manna. 
Quench  our  thirst  with  living  water.  Make  us 


THE   LORD'S  SUPPER.  65 

partakers  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  not 
after  a  corporal  and  carnal  manner,  but  by  faith 
to  our  spiritual  nourishment  and  growth  in  grace. 
May  he  come  in  unto  us  and  sup  with  us  and 
we  with  him,  and  may  he  be  made  known  to  us 
in  the  breaking  of  bread. 

Gracious  God,  give  us  a  precious  season  of 
communion  with  thee.  Lift  up  the  light  of  thy 
countenance  upon  us.  Manifest  thyself  unto  us 
as  thou  dost  not  unto  the  world.  Be  more  pre- 
cious to  us  than  music  to  the  ear,  or  light  to  the 
eye,  or  fragrance  to  the  smell,  or  food  to  the 
taste,  or  friendship  to  the  heart.  Fill  our  souls 
with  thy  rich  and  satisfying  and  everlasting  love. 
And  may  our  spirits  seek  thee  as  the  hart  pants 
after  the  water-brook,  and  our  full  souls  be  made 
to  sing,  "  Whom  have  we  in  heaven  but  thee  ? 
and  there  is  none  on  earth  that  we  desire  beside 
thee." 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  us  in  our  meeting  the 
fellowship  of  saints.  May  we  love  each  other 
out  of  pure  hearts  fervently.  Make  us  all  feel 
that  we  are  children  of  one  parent,  brethren  of 
one  family,  subjects  of  the  same  discipline  of 
trials  and  duties,  and  heirs  of  the  same  inheritance 
beyond  the  grave.  And  let  our  bond  of  union 
have  the  strength  and  beauty  of  that  which  binds 
the  happy  throng  above  in  their  perpetual  fellow- 
ship of  bliss. 

Make  this  ordinance  one  of  rich  and  endur- 

5 


66  HOME    WORSHIP. 

ing  profit  to  us.  And  whilst  the  blessing  of  it 
shall  be  ours,  the  praise  shall  be  thine  for  ever. 
Amen. 


THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  confess  before  thee  the  de- 
pravity of  our  nature  and  the  guilt  of  our  cha- 
racter, and  that  if  thou  hadst  not  sent  thy  Son 
into  the  world  that  whosoever  believeth  on  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life,  we 
had  all  been  condemned  without  hope  and  been 
made  to  suffer  the  penalty  of  our  sin.  But, 
thanks  be  to  thy  name !  thou  didst  lay  help  in  our 
extremity  upon  One  that  is  able  to  save  unto  the 
uttermost ;  One  who  has  died,  the  Just  for  the 
unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us  to  God  ;  and  One 
who,  on  the  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed  to  a 
cruel  and  ignominious  death,  instituted  an  ordi- 
nance in  which  we  might  commemorate  that  in- 
finite sacrifice  by  which  his  people  are  made 
partakers  of  a  redemption  from  eternal  death 
and  of  an  inheritance  of  everlasting  life. 

Vouchsafe  unto  us,  O  Lord,  at  this  time  those 
gracious  frames  of  spirit  which  become  us  in 
approaching  the  table  of  the  Lord.  May  we  in 
faithfulness  examine  ourselves,  and  so  let  us  eat 
of  that  bread  and  drink  of  that  cup.  May  we 
inquire  diligently  whether  we  have  a  right  to  the 


THE  LORD'S  SUPPER.  67 

livery  of  Christ  and  to  sit  with  his  household — 
whether  we  have  made  a  covenant  with  him  by 
sacrifice,  been  born  into  his  kingdom  and  have 
been  made  new  creatures  in  him. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  us  knowledge  to  discern 
the  Lord's  body.  Grant  us  grace  to  look  through 
those  appointed  emblems  to  that  body  which  was 
broken  and  that  blood  which  was  shed  for  the 
remission  of  sins ;  and  let  our  hearts  be  full  of 
adoring  gratitude  that  in  the  counsels  of  eternity 
thou  didst  devise  a  plan  by  which  rebellious, 
guilty  and  hell-deserving  man  might  receive  for- 
giveness, be  reconciled  to  thee  and  enjoy  thy  fa- 
vor, and  that  in  the  fullness  of  time  thou  didst 
perfect  thy  decree  of  mercy  by  sending  thy  Son, 
that  through  him  we  might  receive  the  atone- 
ment. 

Give  us  faith  to  feed  upon  Christ  in  that  ordi- 
nance. May  we  receive  of  his  fullness,  and  grace 
for  grace.  While  we  eat  and  drink  of  the  memo- 
rials of  his  love,  may  we  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness,  remembering  that  man  liveth  not 
by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  pro- 
ceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Oh,  give  us 
that  bread  which  came  down  from  heaven,  for  he 
that  eateth  of  it  shall  live  for  ever.  May  we  ac- 
cept Jesus  as  our  Prophet,  follow  him  as  our  Ex- 
ample, receive  him  as  our  Priest,  and  obey  him  as 
our  King. 

Give  us,  O  Lord,  in  view  of  that  solemn  transac- 


68  HOME    WORSHIP. 

tion,  feelings  of  deep  repentance.  May  we  realize 
that  our  sins  brought  the  Redeemer  from  the 
courts  of  heaven,  that  our  iniquities  led  him 
through  a  life  of  toil  and  privation  and  reproach, 
and  that  our  transgressions  nailed  him  to  the  ac- 
cursed tree.  While  we  look  upon  Him  whom  we 
have  pierced,  may  we  mourn  with  bitterness  over 
our  sins  and  turn  from  them,  desiring  that  the 
plague  of  our  hearts  may  be  healed,  and  that  we 
may  hear  thy  voice  saying,  "  Son,  daughter,  be 
of  good  cheer :  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee." 

Give  us  the  grace  of  love  as  we  handle  and 
taste  those  emblems  of  a  dying  Saviour's  love. 
May  we  love  Jesus  for  his  example,  for  his  in- 
structions and  for  his  promises,  but  above  all  for 
his  death ;  because  scarcely  for  a  righteous  man 
will  one  die,  peradventure  for  a  good  man  some 
would  even  dare  to  die ;  but  thou  hast  com- 
mended thy  love  to  us,  in  that  while  we  were 
sinners  Christ  died  for  us.  Oh,  be  thou  our  Alpha 
and  Omega,  the  portion  of  our  heart  and  the 
fullness  of  our  joy. 

Lord,  grant  us,  in  that  season  of  communion 
with  thee,  a  spirit  of  new  obedience.  Let  us 
thenceforth  no  longer  live  to  ourselves,  but  to 
Him  who  has  died  for  us.  Prepare  us  to  adorn 
the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things. 
Give  us  patient  continuance  in  well-doing.  Make 
us  servants  unto  thee,  that  our  fruit  may  be  holi- 
ness and  the  end  everlasting  life. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  69 

And  now,  O  Lord,  we  implore  thee  that  we 
may  not  come  to  thy  table  unworthily,  lest  we 
eat  and  drink  judgment  to  ourselves,  but  do  thou 
grant  us  such  preparation  of  heart  that  we  may 
be  made  partakers  of  Christ's  body  and  blood, 
with  all  his  benefits,  to  our  spiritual  nourishment 
and  growth  in  grace. 

Visit  the  hearts  of  those  who  are  merely  spec- 
tators of  that  solemn  rite.  May  they  hear  thy 
Spirit  in  his  still,  small  voice  speaking  to  them, 
"  What  doest  thou  here,  apart  from  my  people, 
aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel  and 
strangers  to  the  covenant  of  promise  ?"  Oh,  may 
many  such  be  led  by  grace  to  seek  the  com- 
munion of  saints,  and  ere  long  to  sit  down  with 
us  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus,  to  whom, 
with  the  Father  and  Spirit,  be  praise  for  ever. 
Amen. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT. 

O  LORD,  our  hearts'  desire  and  prayer  before 
thee  this  night  is  that  thy  kingdom  may  come  and 
thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  done  in  hea- 
ven. We  know  that  this  world  lies  in  wicked- 
ness, and  that  if  special  influences  are  not  exerted 
to  recover  and  sanctify  its  guilty  inhabitants,  they 
will  go  down,  generation  after  generation,  to  a  per- 
dition which  will  know  no  abatement  and  no  ter- 


7O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

initiation.  Oh,  may  our  supplications,  therefore, 
be  earnest  and  importunate  that  thou  wouldst 
turn  men  from  their  captivity  to  sin  and  from 
their  course  of  destruction,  and  make  them  free- 
men of  God,  that  their  fruit  may  be  holiness  and 
their  end  everlasting  life. 

Remember  and  bless  Zion.  Put  thy  Church 
in  her  millennial  attitude.  Give  her  peace  and 
purity  and  wisdom,  that  her  righteousness  may  go 
forth  as  brightness  and  her  salvation  as  a  lamp 
that  burneth,  that  thus  she  may  do  her  office  in 
the  conversion  of  the  world. 

Visit,  O  Lord,  with  thy  mercy  those  who  have 
long  listened  to  the  instructions  of  thy  word, 
but  whose  hearts  have  never  yielded  to  the  love 
of  Jesus.  Convince  them  of  sin,  of  righteous- 
ness and  of  a  judgment  to  come.  Let  them  not 
continue  to  neglect  the  offer  of  salvation,  lest  they 
sin  away  the  day  of  their  merciful  visitation,  and 
then  a  great  ransom  will  not  deliver  them.  Lead 
them  to  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the 
sins  of  the  world,  and  may  they  look  in  penitence 
and  faith  to  him  and  be  saved. 

Bring  under  the  saving  influence  of  the  gos- 
pel those  who  reject  and  despise  the  message 
of  salvation.  Let  them  not  continue  to  treasure 
up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath.  Glorify  thy- 
self, gracious  God,  in  bringing  the  openly  profli- 
gate and  the  scoffing  infidel  into  the  paths  of 
holiness  and  faith. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  Jl 

Destroy  the  dominion  of  the  man  of  sin. 
Open  the  eyes  of  men  to  the  civil  and  religious 
encroachments  of  the  papacy,  and  let  not  the 
liberty  of  the  free  be  destroyed,  nor  the  conver- 
sion of  the  world  be  postponed  by  its  prevalence. 
Oh,  grant  that  it  may  acquire  no  fresh  footholds 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  that  where  it 
has  gone  the  truth  may  pursue  and  vanquish  it, 
and  that  its  strongholds,  which  have  grown  gray 
with  age  and  sin,  may  be  overthrown,  until  even 
its  citadel  of  power  shall  be  cast  down,  so  that  not 
one  stone  shall  be  left  upon  another. 

Visit  by  thy  reclaiming  mercy  the  followers 
of  the  false  prophet,  who  have  established  their 
dominion  on  the  birthplace  of  our  religion  and 
over  the  graves  of  the  prophets  and  apostles 
and  the  Son  of  God.  Cleanse  the  hearts  of  that 
people  whose  faith  has  been  diffused  and  main- 
tained by  the  shedding  of  blood.  Unscale  their 
eyes,  that  have  so  long  been  blinded  by  delusion, 
and  let  their  cry  no  longer  be  "  Allah  and  the 
Prophet!"  but  "The  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ!" 

O  Lord,  remember  with  compassion  the  heathen. 
Oh,  how  long  shall  the  creatures  of  thy  power 
and  the  recipients  of  thy  mercy  bow  down  to 
gods  which  their  own  hands  have  made  or  wor- 
ship things  which  thou  hast  created,  and  which 
are  dependent  on  thee  for  their  being?  Give 
prosperity  to  every  effort  that  is  made  in  obedi- 


72  HOME    WORSHIP. 

ence  to  thy  word  and  in  reliance  on  thy  help  to 
spread  the  light  of  the  gospel  among  the  dark 
places  of  the  earth.  Make  the  wilderness  and 
solitary  place  glad,  and  the  desert  to  rejoice  and 
blossom  as  the  rose.  Bring  many  from  the  east 
and  from  the  west  who  shall  sit  down  with 
Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Say  to  the  north,  "  Give  up,"  and  to  the 
south,  "  Hold  not  back."  Bring  thy  sons  from 
afar  and  thy  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  and  fulfill  thy  promise  that  thy  Son  shall 
have  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance. 

Seek  and  save  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house 
of  Israel.  Oh,  if  the  falling  of  them  was  the 
riches  of  the  world,  and  the  diminishing  of  them 
the  riches  of  the  Gentiles,  how  much  more  their 
fullness !  Assemble  the  outcasts  of  Israel  and 
gather  the  dispersed  of  Judah  from  the  four 
corners  of  the  earth.  Hasten  that  time  when 
through  the  mercy  bestowed  on  us  they  shall 
obtain  mercy,  and  when  with  the  fullness  of 
the  Gentiles  all  Israel  shall  be  saved. 

O  Lord,  remember  each  of  us  in  mercy.  While 
we  desire  and  seek  the  salvation  of  the  world,  en- 
able us  to  give  all  diligence  to  make  our  own  call- 
ing and  election  sure  and  to  work  out  our  own  sal- 
vation, knowing  that  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  us 
both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure. 

Oh,  may  thy  kingdom  come  in  our  hearts,  and 
thy  will  be  done  throughout  the  earth  as  it  is 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  73 

done  in  heaven.     And  the  blessing  shall  be  as- 
cribed to  the  triune  God.     Amen. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT. 

O  LORD,  we  thank  thee  that  the  lines  have 
fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  that  we  have  a 
goodly  heritage.  We  bless  thee  that  we  have  not 
been  left,  like  the  great  majority  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  in  ignorance  of  thy  character  and  re- 
quirements. For  to  us,  who  are  no  better  by 
nature  than  others,  thou  hast  revealed  what  we 
are  to  believe  concerning  thee  and  the  duties 
which  thou  requirest  of  us.  We  acknowledge, 
O  God,  that  we  deserve  to  be  beaten  with  many 
stripes ;  for  while  we  have  known  our  Master's 
will,  we  have  not  done  it  We  pray  that  this 
retribution  may  not  come  upon  us,  and  that 
we  may  so  use  our  privileges  in  the  light  of  ac- 
countability that  we  may  be  not  only  monuments 
of  distinguishing  grace,  but  also  of  thy  justifying, 
adopting  and  sanctifying  mercy. 

Grant  us  such  an  appreciation  of  the  bless- 
ings of  the  gospel  as  shall  excite  in  us  adoring 
gratitude  toward  thee,  and  such  as  shall  stim- 
ulate us  to  an  earnest  zeal  to  send  them  to  the 
destitute  nations  of  the  earth.  Oh,  rebuke  our 
lukewarmness  and  indolence  and  covetousness, 


74  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  make  our  hearts  to  beat  with  the  strong 
and  abiding  and  life-giving  impulses  of  benevo- 
lence toward  those  that  are  perishing  for  lack 
of  knowledge. 

O  Lord,  we  mourn  that  thy  people  slumbered 
for  ages  over  the  cause  of  missions — that  cause  for 
which  thy  Son  assumed  humanity  and  suffered 
crucifixion,  and  for  which  apostles  toiled  and  suf- 
fered and  died.  But  we  rejoice  that  their  long, 
deep  sleep  has  been  broken,  that  their  heavy  eye- 
lids have  been  opened,  that  their  sluggish  limbs 
have  been  moved,  and  that  now  we  can  indulge 
the  joyful  hope  that  the  dayspring  of  latter-day 
glory  has  visited  us. 

Increase  and  spread  through  all  thy  Church 
the  spirit  of  missions.  May  thy  people  regard 
it  as  the  cause  of  God  and  man,  which  will 
render  glory  to  thee  in  the  highest  and  bring 
peace  on  earth  and  good-will  to  man.  Make 
them  feel  that  it  is  the  highest  and  noblest 
object  for  which  to  pray  fervently,  to  give  liber- 
ally and  to  labor  diligently. 

Oh,  may  the  spirit  of  prayer  on  behalf  of  this 
cause  animate  the  hearts  of  all  that  call  on  thy 
name.  May  they  realize  the  solemn  truths  that 
the  teeming  millions  of  earth  lie  in  iniquity,  that 
where  there  is  no  vision  the  people  perish,  that 
a  Saviour  has  been  given  for  the  redemption  of 
the  world,  and  that  thy  promise  has  gone  forth 
that  he  shall  have  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  75 

and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  posses- 
sion. But  thou  hast  also  told  us  that  for  these 
things  thou  wilt  be  inquired  of  by  the  house  of 
Israel.  Oh  that  earnest  and  importunate  and 
believing  supplication  might  go  up  from  every 
regenerate  heart  to  thy  mercy-seat,  and  be 
answered  by  an  outpouring  of  salvation  upon  all 
the  nations  of  earth. 

Lord,  make  this  cause  dearer  to  them  than  all 
the  treasures  of  earth.  May  they  remember  that 
all  the  silver  and  gold  are  thine.  Oh.  let  not 
avarice  or  covetousness  blight  their  Christian 
sympathies.  Teach  them  that  there  is  that  which 
withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but  tendeth  to 
poverty,  and  that  there  is  that  which  scattereth, 
yet  increaseth.  Show  them  that  it  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive,  and  that  thou  hast  made 
them  the  stewards  of  manifold  mercies  that  they 
should  not  forget  to  do  good  and  to  communi- 
cate, for  with  such  sacrifices  thou  art  well  pleased, 
Oh,  bring  into  the  Lord's  treasury  the  abundant 
gifts  of  willing  hearts,  until,  as  in  thy  tabernacle 
of  old,  the  leaders  of  Israel  shall  retain  their 
abundance. 

Lord,  consecrate  to  this  work  not  only  the 
prayers  and  gifts  of  thy  Church,  but  the  choicest 
of  her  sons  and  daughters.  May  many  who  are 
at  ease  in  Zion  hear  the  cry  of  Macedon,  "  Come 
over  and  help  us,"  and  devoting  themselves  in  the 
spirit  and  strength  of  their  Master  go  forth  with 


?  HOME    WORSHIP. 

glad  tidings  to  the  heathen.  And  grant  that 
those  who  have  given  themselves  personally  to 
this  work  may  have  the  consolation  of  seeing 
it  prospering  in  their  hands,  that  under  their  cul- 
ture (and  the  nurture  of  thy  Spirit  as  showers  that 
water  the  earth)  the  wilderness  may  bud  and 
blossom  as  the  rose,  and  the  habitations  of  cruelty 
become  the  peaceful  abodes  of  righteousness. 

God  of  missions,  fulfill  speedily  thy  promise 
that  thy  Son  shall  have  the  heathen  for  his  inher- 
itance and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a 
possession.  We  humbly  ask  it,  that  through  the 
glory  bestowed  on  him  in  the  conversion  of  the 
world  thy  great  name  may  be  honored  on  earth, 
and  magnified  in  heaven  for  ever.  Amen. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT. 

GREAT  GOD,  to  whom  shall  we  go  but  unto 
thee  ?  Thou  art  the  Source  of  every  blessing. 
Giving  doth  not  impoverish  thee,  and  withholding 
doth  not  make  thee  rich.  Thou  art  mighty  to 
save  unto  the  uttermost  all  that  come  unto  thee 
by  Christ,  in  whose  name  only  we  present  our- 
selves. And,  Lord,  thy  willingness  to  bless  is 
equal  to  thy  fullness  and  power,  for  thou  art  wait- 
ing to  be  gracious. 

Heavenly  Father,  we  come  to  thee  to  seek  the 


MOJfffTHLY  CONCERT.  77 

blessing  of  thy  Spirit,  and  not  in  selfishness,  but 
with  desires  as  large  as  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  earth,  and  that  take  in  the  whole  family  of  man. 
Oh,  do  thou  direct  especially  our  compassions 
toward  the  heathen.  We  would  feel  that  the  vast 
majority  of  mankind  lie  in  the  fetters  of  a  cruel 
superstition  and  are  shrouded  in  the  darkness  of 
a  spiritual  night.  May  we  remember  that  there 
are  hundreds  of  millions  of  human  beings,  bone 
of  our  bone  and  flesh  of  our  flesh,  and  as  good 
by  nature  as  we  are,  and  who  share  with  us  an 
immortality  of  life,  that  now  worship  gods  that 
have  eyes  without  sight  and  ears  without  hearing 
and  arms  without  strength,  who  have  changed 
the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image 
made  like  unto  corruptible  man  and  to  birds  and 
to  four-footed  beasts  and  to  creeping  things. 
Lord,  teach  us  that  these  millions  are  not  merely 
deluded  by  superstition,  but  that  they  are  being 
corrupted  in  iniquity  of  every  name,  until  from 
the  crown  of  the  head  to  the  sole  of  the  foot 
there  is  nothing  but  wounds  and  bruises  and 
putrefying  sores — until  tribe  after  tribe  and  nation 
after  nation  lie  under  the  face  of  heaven  like  great 
masses  of  moral  putrefaction.  And,  Lord,  make 
us  feel  that  over  these  communities  of  supersti- 
tion and  guilt  hangs  the  condemnation  of  thy 
wrath,  which,  if  it  be  not  chased  away  by  the 
brightness  of  the  rising  of  the  Sun  of  righteous- 
ness, will  waste  their  souls  with  everlasting  death. 


7  8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Teach  us,  O  Lord,  that  the  only  remedy  for  this 
degrading  and  corrupting  and  destroying  evil  is 
to  be  found  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  We  bless  thee  that  it  has  been 
sent  to  the  earth  with  its  fullness  of  grace  and 
truth,  life  and  immortality,  and  that  experience 
has  proved  that  it  is  adequate  to  all  the  wants 
and  woes  of  our  ruined  nature,  and  that  it  can 
break  the  chains  of  superstition  and  wash  away 
the  stains  of  guilt  and  blot  out  the  condemnation 
of  thy  wrath,  so  that  rebels  reclaimed  to  thy 
service  can  worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  in  the 
beauty  of  holiness  and  in  that  spirit  of  adoption 
by  which,  being  reconciled  to  thee  through  Jesus 
Christ,  they  may  cry,  "Abba,  Father!" 

Teach  us  impressively  that  thou  hast  made 
us  the  stewards  of  that  precious  remedy.  Oh, 
give  us  an  adequate  sense  of  our  responsibility 
in  relation  to  it,  in  common  with  thy  Church; 
for  if  we  withhold  it  the  people  will  perish  for 
lack  of  knowledge,  and  if  we  send  it  the  nations 
of  the  earth  will  be  saved.  Oh,  let  not  covetous- 
ness  stifle  our  benevolence,  nor  apathy  check  our 
prayers,  nor  indolence  withhold  our  personal 
labors.  May  our  property,  our  supplications  and 
our  efforts  be  consecrated  to  it.  And  may  we 
regard  the  missionary  enterprise  as  the  glory  of 
the  age,  and  its  objects  as  the  sum  and  substance 
and  end  of  this  world's  probation.  Give  it 
favor  in  the  eyes  of  thy  people  until  every  one 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  79 

that  is  named  after  Christ  shall  give  and  labor 
and  pray  for  its  success  with  the  whole  heart. 
Let  thy  Spirit  descend  in  copious  effusions 
on  its  behalf  until  its  messages  of  peace  on 
earth  and  good- will  to  man  will  reach  the  ear 
of  every  human  being,  and  the  earth  be  full  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover 
the  sea, 

God  of  the  promises,  speedily  give  the  heathen 
to  thy  Son  for  an  inheritance  and  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession.  And  while 
the  blessing  shall  be  upon  the  children  of  man, 
the  praise  shall  be  ascribed  to  the  Father,  Son 
and  Spirit,  one  God.  Amen. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT. 

LORD,  thou  hast  said  that  where  two  or 
three  are  gathered  in  thy  name  thou  art  in 
the  midst  of  them.  If,  therefore,  thy  blessing 
is  promised  to  the  few,  may  we  not  expect  its 
increased  fulfillment  when  thousands  on  every 
continent  and  in  the  isles  of  the  sea  at  this  season 
appointed  by  thy  people  call  on  thee  for  the 
spread  of  thy  kingdom  ?  Lord,  our  hearts'  desire 
and  prayer  unto  thee  is  that  thy  kingdom  may 
come  and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  in  heaven. 

Remember  and  bless  thy  Church,  which  thou 


80  HOME    WORSHIP. 

hast  redeemed  by  thine  own  blood.  Heal  all 
her  divisions  and  pour  the  oil  of  peace  on  all 
her  bleeding  wounds.  Cleanse  her  garments 
from  every  corruption  and  give  her  the  beauty 
of  holiness.  Be  a  wall  of  fire  round  about  her 
and  a  glory  in  the  midst  of  her.  Make  her  a 
peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 

Remember  and  bless  cur  country.  We  thank 
thee  that  thou  hast  made  it  a  land  of  Bibles, 
of  Sabbaths  and  of  sanctuaries,  that  thou  hast 
planted  broad  and  deep  in  its  social  frame- 
work the  institutions  of  the  gospel,  and  that 
from  it  the  streams  that  make  glad  the  city  of 
our  God  are  sending  forth  the  water  of  salvation 
to  other  lands.  Yet  we  mourn  that  our  good 
must  be  evil  spoken  of,  and  that  it  is  a  land  of 
broken  Sabbaths,  of  profanity,  of  oppression  and 
of  intemperance.  Oh,  bring  us  up  as  a  nation  to 
the  standard  of  our  privileges.  Loose  all  our 
bands  of  wickedness,  and  then  shall  our  light 
break  forth  as  the  morning  and  our  health  spring 
forth  speedily ;  our  righteousness  shall  go  before 
us,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  our 
reward. 

Remember  and  bless  the  nations  of  our  south- 
ern continent,  who  have  so  long  been  tossed 
on  the  billows  of  political  commotion,  and  who 
have  been  so  long  entangled  in  the  meshes  of  a 
religious  superstition.  Oh,  give  them  rest  from 
their  strifes  and  escape  from  their  toils.  Bestow 


MO  NTH L  Y  CONGER  T.  8 1 

on  them  the  blessings  of  a  rational,  permanent 
liberty  and  of  a  pure  and  life-giving  piety. 

Remember  and  bless  the  lands  of  Europe 
where  thy  Church  has  been  reformed  from  the  cor- 
ruptions of  the  papacy,  where  her  cords  have  been 
lengthened  and  her  stakes  strengthened,  and  out 
of  which  have  gone  forth  influences  on  behalf 
of  thy  kingdom  as  leaves  from  the  tree  of  life 
for  the  healing  of  the  nations.  Oh,  give  thy  peo- 
ple there  a  large  increase  of  thy  spirit.  Redeem 
its  territories  from  the  dominion  of  the  man  of 
sin.  Bring  back  from  its  degeneracy  the  land  of 
the  Reformation,  and  let  that  continent  every- 
where be  consecrated  to  the  true  service  of  the 
living  God. 

O  Lord,  remember  and  bless  the  nations  of 
Asia,  the  cradle  of  our  race  and  the  birthplace  of 
religion,  where  Jesus  lived  and  taught  and  died  ; 
where  thy  Church  was  once  glorious  within  and 
beautiful  without,  but  now  a  whited  sepulchre  full 
of  dead  men's  bones  and  all  manner  of  unclean- 
ness  ;  and  where  nation  after  nation  has  been 
given  up  to  false  prophets  and  to  false  gods  Oh, 
send  to  every  tribe  of  that  vast  continent  the 
precious  message  of  the  gospel.  May  the  Mo- 
hammedan everywhere  forsake  his  false  prophet 
and  follow  Jesus  as  his  Saviour.  May  every 
heathen  cast  his  idols  to  the  moles  and  to  the 
bats  and  worship  thee  only  as  the  living  and 
true  God. 


82  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Remember  and  bless  Africa,  the  mother  of 
science,  where  also  thy  Church  was  nurtured 
in  her  infancy,  and  where  she  first  planted  the 
schools  of  the  prophets.  O  God,  grant  that  that 
continent,  which  has  so  long  been  bitterly  scourged 
by  the  rapacity  of  Christian  lands,  may  receive 
compensation  for  her  torture  by  the  gift  of  the 
gospel,  and  that  through  its  peaceful  influences 
her  dark  and  benighted  tribes  may  sit  under  their 
vine  and  under  their  fig  tree  and  none  shall  make 
them  afraid. 

Remember  and  bless  the  isles  of  the  sea.  Lo ! 
they  even  now  wait  for  thy  law.  We  thank  thee 
that  some  of  them  have  received  it,  and  that 
it  has  been  made  in  an  unwonted  degree  the 
power  of  God  to  them,  so  that  nations  have  been 
born  to  thee  in  a  day.  Oh,  let  that  good  work  go 
from  isle  to  isle  until  the  abundance  of  the  sea 
shall  be  converted  to  thee. 

Gracious  God,  we  leave  the  moral  interests  of  - 
the  world  at  thy  throne.  Grant  us  an  answer  to 
our  petitions  infinitely  greater  than  we  are  worthy 
to  receive,  and  the  praise  of  every  blessing  (all  of 
which  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Jesus)  shall  be 
ascribed  to  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit  for 
ever.  Amen. 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  83 

MONTHLY  CONCERT. 

O  THOU  God  of  the  whole  earth,  while  we 
would  come  before  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  in 
thankfulness  for  personal  blessings  and  with  earn- 
est desires  for  renewed  and  increasing  personal 
mercies,  we  would  present  ourselves  with  grati- 
tude for  the  noble  instrumentalities  of  good  which 
thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  our  fellow-creatures, 
and  with  supplications  that  their  efficacy  may  be 
increased  and  their  prevalence  diffused  until  all 
the  children  of  men  shall  enjoy  them  in  their 
fullness  and  power. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  and  we  pray  that  this  nation 
may  do  nothing  to  forfeit  them,  but  that  they 
may  be  continued  to  us  till  the  latest  generation. 
Oh,  do  thou  prepare  all  the  nations  of  the  earth 
for  rational  freedom.  Give  every  people  the 
knowledge,  morality  and  righteousness  which 
will  fit  them  for  self-government.  Let  every 
form  of  oppression  cease  from  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  do  thou  so  order  every  administration 
of  power  that  it  shall  promote  public  welfare 
and  advance  thy  kingdom  and  glory  among 
men. 

\Ve  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  blessings  of  edu- 
cation. Oh,  scatter  the  mists  of  ignorance  that 
hang  over  the  great  mass  of  mankind  ;  and  as 
thou  hast  made  them  so  far  above  the  brutes  that 


84  HOME    WORSHIP. 

perish,  let  not  their  rational  and  immortal  faculties 
lie  in  dormant  stupidity  or  be  exercised  in  mis- 
chievous error,  but  do  thou  increase  and  diffuse 
everywhere  the  useful  discoveries  and  efforts  that 
have  been  made  and  are  now  making  for  the 
spread  of  knowledge,  until  every  human  mind 
will  know  its  powers  and  exercise  them  in  such 
spheres  as  will  make  them  a  blessing  to  itself, 
to  its  country  and  to  the  world. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  that  our  minds  and 
hearts  have  been  brought  under  the  influence  of 
temperance.  Oh,  increase  and  spread  its  power 
over  the  face  of  the  earth.  Reclaim  those  who 
are  now  wandering  in  the  paths  of  drunkenness. 
Recover  those  whose  feet  are  running  in  the  way 
of  temptation,  and  throw  thy  merciful  restraint 
and  protection  over  those  who  are  yet  untainted 
by  the  vice  of  intemperance.  Enlist  the  feelings 
and  efforts  of  all  classes  of  people  against  this 
destroying  evil,  until  there  shall  be  none  to  make 
or  buy  or  sell  or  use  as  a  beverage  the  hurtful 
poison. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  moral  and  spiritual 
blessings  which  have  accrued  to  thy  people  and 
to  the  world  by  the  use  of  religious  tracts.  Oh, 
increase  their  circulation  and  usefulness  in  our 
own  and  in  other  lands.  We  desire  that  thy 
people  may  realize  the  power  of  the  press  to 
furnish  these  leaves  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 
We  thank  thee  for  the  influence  which  has  been 


MONTHLY  CONCERT.  85 

given  to  them  in  heathen  lands,  and  we  pray 
that  they  may  be  sent  to  all  the  dark  places  of 
the  earth  as  winged  messengers  proclaiming  the 
everlasting  gospel.  Oh,  follow  them,  wherever 
they  are  sent,  by  the  enlightening,  convincing  and 
converting  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  institution  of  Sun- 
day-schools. Give  them,  we  pray  thee,  an  in- 
creasing power  over  the  moral  and  religious  wel- 
fare of  the  community.  Bestow  a  double  meas- 
ure of  wisdom,  holiness  and  zeal  on  those  who 
teach.  May  those  who  are  taught  receive  in- 
struction with  the  hearing  ear,  the  understanding 
heart  and  the  applying  conscience.  Oh,  do  thou 
establish  a  Sunday-school  wherever  there  is  a 
population  to  sustain  one,  and  make  this  instru- 
mentality an  important  means  of  spreading  divine 
knowledge,  enlarging  missionary  effort,  sanctify- 
ing thy  Church,  promoting  revivals  of  religion 
and  regenerating  the  world. 

We  thank  thee  that  the  compassions  of  thy 
Church  have  been  directed  to  the  waste  places 
of  our  land,  and  that  home  missions  have  been 
organized  to  supply  perishing  communities  with 
the  bread  of  life.  Increase,  we  pray  thee,  our 
interest  and  that  of  all  thy  people  in  this  form  of 
benevolence.  Oh,  send  the  heralds  of  the  cross 
to  all  the  destitute  places  of  our  land  to  gather 
and  feed  those  who  are  scattered  as  sheep  without 
a  shepherd.  Let  the  Bible,  the  Sunday-school, 


86  HOME    WORSHIP. 

the  sanctuary  and  the  Sabbath  bless  every  neigh- 
borhood, and  the  voice  of  instruction,  praise  and 
prayer  be  heard  in  every  village  and  hamlet  and 
household  in  our  wide  and  flourishing  country. 
Lord,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  put  it  into 
the  hearts  of  thy  people  to  fulfill  the  command 
of  the  departing  Saviour  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.  Do  thou  deepen  and  enlarge  and 
strengthen  the  interest  of  thy  Church  in  this 
noble  cause.  Let  not  sacrifice  of  property,  feel- 
ing or  effort  be  thought  too  great  in  its  behalf. 
Give  such  an  increase  to  the  requisite  means  of 
this  work  at  home  and  abroad  as  shall  be  ade- 
quate to  the  wants  of  the  heathen  world.  Grant 
success  to  all  who  have  devoted  their"  lives  to 
this  cause.  We  thank  thee  for  what  thou  hast 
already  done  by  them.  Give  stability  to  their 
success,  and  may  a  diffusive  light  go  abroad  from 
these  places  now  redeemed  from  the  power  of 
darkness  that,  mingling  with  the  light  of  other 
lands,  shall  speedily  fill  the  whole  earth  with 
the  glory  of  God.  Amen. 


KEEPING  THE  HEART. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  would  come  before  thee  in 
the  merits  of  Jesus,  realizing  that  it  is  in  thee  our 
weakness  is  made  strength  and  the  iniquities  of 
our  hearts  removed. 


KEEPING   THE  HEART.  87 

Oh,  do  thou  enable  us  to  keep  our  hearts  with 
all  diligence,  for  out  of  them  are  the  issues  of 
life.  May  we  remember  that  they  are  deceitful 
above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked,  and 
that  none  but  God  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out 
of  this  unclean. 

Give  us  deep  humility  for  the  prevailing  evils 
of  our  hearts.  We  are  prone  to  evil  as  the 
sparks  to  fly  upward.  Thou  hast  nourished  and 
brought  us  up  as  children,  but  we  have  rebelled 
against  thee.  Thou  hast  given  us  a  law  that  is 
holy,  just  and  good,  but  we  have  broken  it. 
Thou  hast  sent  thy  Son  into  the  world  to  save  us 
from  our  sin,  yet  we  have  often  treated  the  blood 
of  the  covenant  as  an  unholy  thing.  Thou  hast 
given  thy  Spirit  to  cleanse  us  from  our  corrup- 
tions, yet  we  have  grieved  the  Sanctifier  by  con- 
tinued and  presumptuous  unrighteousness.  Thou 
hast  revealed  to  us  the  smoke  of  the  torment 
rising  up  from  the  perdition  of  the  ungodly  for 
ever,  yet  we  have  often  acted  as  if  we  were  fear- 
less of  thy  wrath.  And  thou  hast  told  us  of  the 
blessedness  of  the  pure  in  heart,  who  only  shall 
see  God,  and  still  we  have  sought  our  portion  in 
sense  and  sin.  Oh,  it  becomes  us  to  confess, 
"  Guilty,  unclean !  God,  be  merciful  to  us  sin- 
ners." 

O  Lord,  make  us  watchful  over  the  condition  of 
our  hearts.  Give  us  wisdom  and  faithfulness  to 
prove  ourselves  and  see  whether  we  are  in  the 


88  HOME    WORSHIP. 

faith,  whether  we  have  indeed  been  born  again, 
whether  we  are  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Let  not  pride  nor  self-love  hinder  us  from  an 
impartial  knowledge  of  ourselves.  Preserve  us 
from  a  false  estimate  of  our  character,  and  dispose 
us  to  bring  into  frequent  and  close  scrutiny  our 
motives  and  principles.  If  we  have  backslidden 
from  thy  ways,  bring  us  back  from  our  wandering, 
restore  us  to  thy  favor,  set  our  feet  upon  the 
Rock,  establish  our  goings  in  thy  strength,  and 
enable  us  to  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  our  high  calling. 

Lord,  we  would  give  our  hearts  to  thee  in  an 
everlasting  covenant,  and  we  would  feel  that  it 
is  the  crowning  act  of  thy  mercy  that  thou  art 
willing  to  accept  them.  Oh,  bind  us  to  thee  in 
the  adoption  of  children,  wherein  thou  makest 
them  accepted  in  the  Beloved.  May  the  cords 
of  thy  love  restrain  us  from  our  backslidings. 
Oh,  dispose  us  to  take  thy  law  as  our  rule,  thy 
service  as  our  meat  and  drink,  and  thyself  as 
our  portion,  that  we  may  live  and  move  and  have 
our  being  in  a  covenant  of  full-hearted  and  never- 
failing  devotion  to  thee  and  the  interests  of  thy 
kingdom. 

Give  us  the  spirit  of  earnest  supplication  that 
the  prevailing  and  deep-rooted  evils  of  our  hearts 
may  be  taken  away.  Oh,  search  us  and  try  us, 
and  remove  the  fountains  of  corruption  from 
us.  Cleanse  us  from  secret  faults  and  keep  us 


KEEPING   THE  HEART.  89 

back  from  presumptuous  sins.  Create  within  us 
clean  hearts,  renew  right  spirits  within  us.  Help 
us  to  keep  the  avenues  of  the  heart — our  eyes 
that  they  may  not  lust  after  evil,  our  ears  that 
they  may  not  listen  to  sin,  and  our  thoughts 
that  they  may  not  cherish  vanity  and  unholiness. 
May  our  lives  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  Grant 
us  the  spirit  of  holiness.  Give  us  a  hope  that 
purifieth  even  as  Christ  is  pure,  that,  the  body 
of  sin  being  destroyed,  henceforth  we  may  not 
serve  sin,  but  be  the  servants  of  righteousness. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  a  sense  of  thy  presence 
may  rest  continually  upon  us.  Thou  knowest 
our  downsittings  and  our  uprisings,  thou  art 
acquainted  with  all  our  ways,  and  thou  under- 
standest  our  thoughts  afar  off.  Oh,  let  our 
thoughts  be  so  impressed  with  a  conviction  of 
the  scrutiny  of  thine  eye  that  the  first  motions 
of  sin  in  our  hearts  may  be  restrained,  and  that 
we  may  walk  before  thee  in  that  fear  which  is 
a  fountain  of  life,  that  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever. 

We  again  supplicate  thee  to  help  us  to  keep 
our  hearts  with  diligence.  While  the  duty  is 
ours,  the  power  is  from  thee.  Without  thee 
we  can  do  nothing.  We  bless  thee  that  thou 
hast  assured  us  that  thy  grace  is  sufficient 
for  all  things.  Oh,  display  its  fullness  and  effi- 
cacy in  making  our  hearts  the  altars  of  an  un- 
failing sacrifice  and  our  souls  the  living  temples 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 


9O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Giaciously  accept  our  thanksgiving  and  sup- 
plications in  the  name  of  our  Redeemer,  to 
whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Spirit,  be  end- 
less praise.  Amen. 


WORD  OF  GOD. 

PRECEPTS,  EXAMPLES,  WARNINGS  AND  PROMISES. 
GRACIOUS  GOD,  thou  art  the  Father  of  lights, 
from  whom  cometh  down  every  good  and  perfect 
gift.  We  bless  thee  that  in  the  -multitude  of  thy 
mercies  thou  hast  given  us  thy  word  as  a  light 
shining  in  a  dark  place.  We  are  no  better  by 
nature  than  the  multitudes  whom  thou  hast  left 
without  a  written  revelation  of  thy  will,  and  who, 
following  the  corruptions  of  their  own  hearts,  are 
the  victims  of  delusive  and  cruel  superstitions, 
and  who  are  living  without  God  and  hope  in  the 
world.  Yet  to  us  who  did  not  deserve  thy  mercy, 
and  whose  frequent  neglect  and  aggravated  abuse 
of  it  deserve  its  withdrawal,  thou  hast  given  thy 
commandment,  which  is  pure,  enlightening  the 
eyes  ;  thy  statutes,  which  are  right,  rejoicing  the 
heart ;  thy  testimony,  which  is  sure,  making  wise 
the  simple ;  and  thy  law,  which  is  perfect,  convert- 
ing the  soul.  O  Lord,  help  us  to  meditate  on 
the  blessings  of  thy  word,  and  may  our  hearts 
burn  within  us  in  grateful  appreciation  of  its 
excellence  and  value. 


WORD    OF  GOD.  gi 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  the  precepts  of  thy 
word.  Thou  hast  indeed  given  us  the  law  of 
Nature  impressed  on  our  consciences,  by  which 
we  are  left  without  excuse  in  the  transgression  of 
thy  will,  yet  without  thy  revealed  law  man  every- 
where becomes  vain  in  his  imaginations  and  his 
foolish  heart  is  darkened,  so  that  the  world  by 
wisdom  knows  not  God.  Assist  us  to  re- 
gard thy  word  as  the  index  of  every  duty,  for 
thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad,  and  has 
relation  not  only  to  the  outward  actions  of  life, 
but  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of 
the  heart.  May  we  ever  go  to  it  with  the  pray- 
erful inquiry,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  us  to 
do  ?"  determined  that  its  requirements  shall  be 
the  law  of  our  life,  that  what  it  commands  we 
will  obey,  that  what  it  forbids  we  will  forsake. 
Help  us  to  discover  there  and  to  discharge  con- 
tinually all  our  duties  to  thee,  to  ourselves  and  to 
our  fellow-creatures.  Oh,  let  thy  precepts  teach 
us  how  to  love  thee  with  all  our  heart  and  mind 
and  soul  and  strength,  how  to  work  out  our  sal- 
vation with  fear  and  trembling,  and  how  we 
should  act  as  superiors,  inferiors  and  equals  in 
all  the  relations  of  life. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  examples  in  thy 
word.  We  bless  thee  for  the  light  thou  hast 
thrown  on  the  requirements  of  thy  will  by  the 
holy  lives  of  thy  saints  of  ancient  time.  May  we 
love  to  dwell  upon  their  history  in  our  hearts  and 


92  HOME    WORSHIP. 

to  make  them  the  models  of  our  lives.  Make  us 
followers  of  those  who  through  faith  and  patience 
inherit  the  promises.  Especially  may  we  make 
the  example  of  Jesus  Christ  our  pattern  in  all  the 
duties  of  life.  May  the  same  mind  that  was  in 
him  be  also  in  us.  Lead  us  to  walk  even  as  he 
walked,  for  he  that  followeth  not  after  him  is  not 
worthy  of  him.  May  we  look  to  him  as  our 
model  of  patience  and  humility,  of  prayer  and 
faith,  of  long-suffering  and  benevolence.  May 
we  strive  to  purify  ourselves  even  as  Christ  is 
pure,  and  beholding  in  thy  word,  as  in  a  glass, 
his  glory,  be  changed  into  the  same  image  from 
glory  to  glory. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  warnings  of  thy 
word,  by  which  thou  hast  taught  us  in  the  tem- 
poral and  eternal  retributions  of  thy  wrath  that 
thou  art  a  consuming  fire  to  the  workers  of  in- 
iquity. Oh,  verify  not  upon  any  of  us  the 
threatened  penalties  of  transgression.  Impress 
these  warnings  upon  our  memories,  so  that  in 
every  emergency  to  which  they  relate  they  may 
restrain  us  from  iniquity.  When  we  are  tempted 
to  sin,  may  we  remember  that  thou  hast  told  us 
that  "  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard." 
When  we  backslide  from  thy  paths,  let  thy  word 
say  unto  us,  "The  backslider  in  heart  shall  be 
filled  with  his  own  ways."  When  we  would  ne- 
glect duty,  speak  unto  us,  "  Cursed  is  every  one 
that  continueth  not  in  all  things  that  are  written 


WORD   OF  COD.  93 

in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them."  If  we  suffer 
for  our  wrong-doing,  say  unto  us,  "  Sin  no  more, 
lest  a  worse  thing  come  unto  you."  Let  us 
everywhere  and  continually  remember  that  the 
wages  of  sin  is  death.  Oh,  help  us  to  flee  from 
the  wrath  to  come  and  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope 
of  the  gospeL 

We  thank  thee  for  the  promises  of  thy  word. 
Whilst  thou  hast  made  the  obligation  of  duty 
the  paramount  motive  to  obedience,  thou  hast 
been  graciously  pleased  to  increase  and  strength- 
en the  inducement  to  conform  to  thy  will  by  these 
pledges  of  thy  blessing.  We  thank  thee  that 
they  are  so  plain  that  he  who  runs  may  read, 
and  that  they  are  suited  to  every  variety  of 
Christian  experience,  and  that  they  are  as  nu- 
merous as  all  our  wants  and  trials.  Oh  that  they 
might  be  embalmed  in  oflr  memories  and  be 
cherished  in  our  confidence  and  be  more  precious 
to  us  than  all  the  wealth  of  earth.  And  may  we 
regard  thy  promises  as  yea  and  amen  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Lord,  teach  the  unrighteous  the  counsels  of 
thy  word.  Lead  them  to  copy  its  godly  ex- 
amples. Warn  them  by  its  menaces  of  danger, 
and  win  them  to  thee  by  its  assurances  of  comfort 
in  this  life  and  bliss  in  that  which  is  to  come. 
In  the  name  of  Jesus,  amen. 


94  HOME    WORSHIP. 

FAITH,  HOPE,  CHARITY. 

O  LORD,  we  would  humbly  seek  acceptance 
before  thy  mercy-seat  in  the  merits  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Gracious  God,  we  come  to  seek  that  faith  with- 
out which  it  is  impossible  to  please  thee,  for  thou 
wilt  be  honored  in  what  thou  art  and  in  what 
thou  speakest  and  in  what  thou  doest.  Oh  that 
we  could  understand  and  appreciate  thy  character 
as  infinite,  eternal  and  unchangeable  in  all  thine 
attributes,  as  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever.  Oh 
that  we  could  rely  with  affectionate  and  obedient 
hearts  on  thy  testimonies,  which  are  sure,  making 
wise  the  simple  ;  on  thy  statutes,  which  are  right, 
rejoicing  the  heart ;  on  thy  commandment,  which 
is  pure,  enlightening  the  eyes  ;  on  thy  law,  which 
is  perfect,  converting  the  soul.  Oh  that  we 
could  acknowledge  thy  hand  and  rejoice  in  thy 
will  in  all  thy  holy,  wise  and  powerful  govern- 
ment and  preservation  of  all  thy  creatures,  so 
that  even  when  clouds  and  darkness  are  round 
about  thy  pathways  we  may  be  persuaded  that 
justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy 
throne.  Lord,  assist  us  to  believe  that  thou  art 
the  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  thee, 
so  that  in  every  feeling  of  want  we  may  go  to 
thee  as  a  fountain  of  overflowing  supply,  and 
that  in  every  expression  of  desire  this  may  be 
our  confidence  in  thee — that  if  we  ask  anything 


FAITH,  HOPE,   CHARITY.  95 

according  to  thy  will  thou  hearest  us,  and  that  if 
we  know  thou  hearest  us  we  know  also  that  we 
have  the  petitions  we  desire  of  thee.  Oh,  do 
thou  shine  into  our  hearts  to  give  us  the  light  of 
the  knowledge  of  thy  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ,  in  whom,  though  now  we  see  him  not,  yet, 
believing,  may  we  rejoice  with  a  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory,  receiving  the  end  of  our  faith, 
even  the  salvation  of  our  souls.  And,  O  Lord, 
give  us  a  faith  that  works  by  love,  that  purifies 
the  heart,  that  overcomes  the  world,  and  that  is 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen  and  the  substance 
of  things  hoped  for. 

Lord,  grant  us  the  hope  of  the  gospel.  We 
acknowledge  that  we  are  by  nature  the  children 
of  wrath,  and  that  we  have  incurred  by  our  con- 
tinual transgressions  the  extreme  penalties  of  thy 
wrath.  But  we  thank  thee  that  the  offer  of  salva- 
tion has  been  made  to  us  unworthy  and  ill-deserv- 
ing creatures  in  the  gift  of  thy  Son,  on  wThom  thou 
hast  laid  our  iniquities  that  we  by  his  stripes 
might  be  healed.  Oh,  do  thou  enable  us  so  to  re- 
ceive and  rest  upon  Christ  as  he  is  offered  to  us 
in  the  gospel  that  we  may  enjoy  an  assurance  of 
an  interest  in  his  purchased  redemption.  Let  not 
our  expectation  of  salvation  be  built  in  any  wise 
on  our  own  merits  or  works,  but  may  we  receive 
him  as  the  only  name  given  under  heaven  where- 
by sinners  can  be  saved.  Let  the  conviction  ever 
be  present  with  us  that  it  is  not  by  works  of 


96  HOME    WORSHIP. 

righteousness  that  we  have  done,  but  by  th)r 
mercy  in  him,  thou  wilt  save  us,  that,  being  justi- 
fied by  his  grace,  we  should  be  made  heirs  accord- 
ing to  the  hope  of  eternal  life.  May  it  be  a  hope 
that  purifies  even  as  Christ  is  pure,  that  maketh 
not  ashamed,  a  helmet  of  salvation,  an  anchor  of 
the  soul  both  sure  and  steadfast,  which  enters 
within  the  veil  and  rejoices  in  the  expectation 
of  the  glory  of  God. 

Lord,  help  us  to  love  thee  with  all  our  heart. 
May  thy  mercies  to  us  in  the  works  of  thy  hands 
and  in  the  dispensations  of  thy  providence  and  in 
the  measures  of  thy  grace  bind  our  hearts  to  thee 
in  cords  of  love  which  shall  never  be  broken. 
And  may  the  attributes  of  thy  character  attract 
our  constant  and  satisfying  admiration,  so  that  in 
the  fullness  of  our  hearts  we  can  say,  "  There  is 
none  on  earth  we  desire  beside  thee."  But  let  us 
never  imagine  that  any  strength  of  attachment  on 
our  part  can  merit  thy  love  to  us  ;  for  oh,  thine 
acceptance  of  our  hearts  is  one  of  the  crowning 
gifts  of  undeserved  mercy. 

And,  O  gracious  God,  we  pray  that  we  may 
love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  Let  us  not  live 
in  selfish  unconcern  respecting  his  joys  and 
griefs.  May  we  rejoice  in  his  welfare  and  sym- 
pathize in  his  adversity.  Let  us  not  cherish  jeal- 
ousy or  envy  or  anger  or  malice  toward  any 
of  our  fellow-creatures,  but  regard  every  man 
as  a  brother.  Let  our  strongest  and  most 


THANKSGIVINGS.  97 

abiding  compassions  be  for  the  souls  of  men. 
May  we  be  kindly  affectioned  in  brotherly  love 
to  them  that  are  of  the  household  of  faith,  mourn- 
ing in  Zion's  sorrows,  delighting  in  her  joys,  and 
ever  praying  that  her  righteousness  may  go  forth 
as  brightness  and  her  salvation  as  a  lamp  that 
burneth.  And,  Lord,  give  us  hearts  of  pity  for 
those  who  live  as  if  there  were  no  hell  to  shun, 
no  heaven  to  gain,  no  God  to  serve.  Dispose  us 
to  be  earnest  in  prayer  and  persevering  in  effort, 
that  many  such  may  be  brought  under  the  sweet 
and  controlling  influences  of  the  gospel,  and  be 
redeemed  with  an  everlasting  salvation. 

And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  but  the 
greatest  of  these  is  charity.  We  would  humbly 
render  thee,  O  God,  the  praise  of  all,  in  Jesus 
Christ.  Amen. 


THANKSGIVINGS. 

WE  come  to  thee,  O  God,  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
with  the  voice  of  thanksgiving.  We  would  praise 
thee  not  only  for  what  thou  art  in  thyself,  but  for 
what  thou  hast  done  for  us,  for  thy  loving-kind- 
ness and  tender  mercies  to  us,  who  are  unworthy 
of  the  least  token  of  thy  goodness. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  gift  of  speech ;  for 
the  light  of  the  eye  ;  for  the  hearing  of  the  ear ; 
for  the  pleasures  of  motion,  of  touch,  of  taste,  of 


98  HOME    WORSHIP. 

fragrance  ;  for  memory,  reason  and  affection.  We 
are  indeed  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made.  Oh, 
do  thou  preserve  all  the  powers  of  our  bodies  and 
faculties  of  our  minds  from  disorder  and  distrac- 
tion. We  pray  that  we  may  never  pervert  them 
to  unrighteousness,  but  may  we  ever  strive  to 
keep  them  innocent  of  transgression  and  ser- 
vants to  thy  will. 

We  thank  thee  for  our  daily  bread,  and  we 
pray  thee  that  we  may  ever  seek  it  uprightly 
in  dependence  on  thee,  and  receive  it  with  grati- 
tude to  thee  as  its  donor.  May  every  nourish- 
ment bestowed  on  these  bodies  remind  us  to 
hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  that  the 
wants  of  our  souls  may  be  supplied  and  we  be 
made  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

We  thank  thee  for  convenient  raiment.  Let 
not  our  apparel  be  an  object  of  undue  solici- 
tude, nor  be  made  an  instrument  of  pride  or 
vanity.  May  we  remember  that  there  is  an  in- 
ward adorning  of  the  mind  and  heart  which  is 
worth  infinitely  more  than  the  outward  adorning 
of  the  body.  Oh  that  we  might  seek  the  gar- 
ments of  salvation  and  be  clothed  with  the  Re- 
deemer's robe  of  righteousness,  that  we  might 
stand  before  thee  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  blessing  of  health. 
Thou  hast  healed  us  in  our  seasons  of  sickness, 
and  made  them  few  in  number  and  short  in  dura- 


THANKSGIVINGS.  99 

tion  compared  with  those  of  our  exemption  from 
illness.  Lord,  continue  that  blessing  to  us.  Let 
us  not  jeopard  it  by  imprudence  or  sin,  but  may 
we  diligently  seek  its  preservation  as  one  of  thy 
most  precious  temporal  gifts.  And,  gracious 
God,  be  thou  the  Physician  of  our  souls.  Heal 
the  wounds  that  sin  has  made  in  them,  take  away 
their  diseases  and  bring  over  them  the  regenerat- 
ing joys  of  spiritual  health. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  for  a  protecting  home. 
While  others  dwell  in  the  tent  or  hovel,  or  are 
tossed  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  or  wander  be- 
neath inclement  skies,  we  dwell  in  ceiled  houses 
and  rejoice  in  protection  from  the  rude  elements. 
Yet  we  pray  that  amid  these  comforts  our  hearts 
may  not  be  wedded  to  them,  and  that  we  may  re- 
member that  here  we  have  no  abiding-place,  and 
be  led  to  seek  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  blessings  of  friend- 
ship. Oh  how  dreary  would  life  be  with  all  its 
external  comforts  if  we  had  none  to  mourn 
with  us  in  our  griefs  and  be  glad  with  us  in 
our  joys  !  We  bless  thee  for  the  tender  and  kind 
sympathies  which  bind  mankind  together  in  the 
family  and  social  relations  of  life,  and  we  pray 
that  the  spirit  of  fraternity  may  be  diffused  every- 
where until  it  shall  heal  with  its  sweet  influences 
all  the  enmities  of  men  and  bind  them  in  a  broth- 
erhood of  love.  And,  Lord,  grant  that  while  we 


IOO  HOME    WORSHIP. 

enjoy  the  pleasures  of  personal  friendship,  we 
may  remember  that  there  is  One  that  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brother.  May  we  seek  communion 
with  him,  and  love  to  chasten  and  sanctify  every 
affection  of  earth. 

We  thank  thee,  gracious  God,  for  civil  and 
religious  liberty.  We  bless  thee  that  we  dwell 
under  the  protection  of  just  and  equal  laws,  and 
that  we  can  worship  thee  according  to  the  dictates 
of  our  own  consciences.  The  lines  have  indeed 
fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  we  have  a 
goodly  heritage.  We  enjoy  privileges  far  above 
other  nations  of  the  earth.  Lord,  continue  them 
unto  us.  Let  us  not  abuse  them  by  forgetting  or 
forsaking  thee.  May  this  people  remember  that 
thou  art  the  Governor  among  the  nations,  and 
that  thy  will  is  the  supreme  law  of  earth.  Oh, 
be  thou  our  God,  and  we  will  be  thy  people. 

We  bless  thee,  Lord,  for  the  means  of  grace. 
We  thank  thee  for  thy  written  law.  Oh,  make  it 
profitable  to  us  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
rection and  for  instruction  in  righteousness.  We 
thank  thee  for  a  preached  gospel.  Let  it  not  be 
to  us  a  savor  of  death  unto  death,  but  a  savor 
of  life  unto  life.  We  thank  thee  for  prayer. 
Help  us  to  regard  thee  as  the  Rewarder  of  all  that 
diligently  seek  thee,  and  to  worship  thee  in  spirit 
and  in  truth.  We  thank  thee  for  the  Sabbath. 
May  we  ever  remember  to  keep  it  holy,  and  do 
thou  make  it  a  type  of  that  rest  that  remaineth 


TALENTS.  IOI 

for  the  people  of  God.  We  thank  thee  for  all 
the  institutions  of  the  gospel.  Do  thou  meet 
with  us  in  the  mount  of  ordinances,  and  may 
we  sit  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  let  us  not  seek  to  enjoy  in  selfishness  all 
these  precious  privileges.  May  we  desire  and 
labor  that  all  our  fellow- creatures  may  share  our 
blessings,  temporal  and  spiritual.  Oh,  restore 
earth  and  its  inhabitants  to  the  beauty  and  hap- 
piness of  Eden. 

Lord,  we  would  call  upon  our  souls  and  all 
that  is  within  us  to  praise  and  magnify  thee  for 
thy  goodness.  May  it  lead  us  to  repentance 
and  to  a  consecration  of  all  we  are  and  all  \ve 
have  unto  thee,  in  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


TALENTS. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
not  made  us  as  the  brutes  that  perish,  but  hast 
given  us  active  powers  and  rational  faculties  and 
precious  privileges.  Yet  we  would  remember 
that  our  responsibilities  are  greatly  and  fearfully 
increased  by  these  things.  Even  the  earth,  that 
bringeth  forth  fruit  that  is  meet  for  him  by  whom 
it  is  dressed,  receives  the  blessing  of  God,  but 
that  which  beareth  thorns  and  briers  is  cursed. 
How  infinitely  accountable  is  man,  on  whom  thou 
hast  bestowed  so  many  and  such  valuable  talents ! 


IO2  HOME    WORSHIP. 

O  Lord,  suffer  us  not,  through  mistake  or  indo- 
lence or  selfishness,  to  hide  them  as  in  a  napkin, 
but  may  we  have  an  ever-present  conviction  that 
these  things  are  only  gifts  in  trust,  which  thou 
wilt  require  from  us  again  with  usury. 

Help  us  to  redeem  the  time  because  the 
days  are  evil.  Teach  us  that  life  is  short  and 
uncertain,  and  that  the  hours  we  are  so  prone  to 
waste  with  lavish  profusion  are  all  needed — ur- 
gently needed — for  the  crowding  duties  of  life. 
Make  us  careful  of  the  days  and  hours  and  min- 
utes thou  art  bestowing  upon  us.  Give  us  wis- 
dom to  go  from  day  to  day  with  settled  plans 
of  action,  so  that  every  season  shall  have  its 
proper  duty,  and  every  duty  its  proper  season. 

Give  us  the  spirit  of  diligence  in  all  our 
duties.  We  thank  thee  for  that  law  of  our 
nature  by  which  thou  hast  connected  our  hap- 
piness and  usefulness  with  the  employment  of 
our  bodies  and  minds  in  the  vocations  of  life. 
Let  all  our  employments  be  lawful  in  thy  sight. 
Make  them  pleasant  and  useful  to  ourselves,  and 
pleasant  and  profitable  to  others,  consistently  with 
uprightness.  Oh,  let  not  the  active  powers  thou 
hast  given  us  be  corroded  or  weakened  by  indo- 
lence, but  be  refreshed  and  invigorated  by  whole- 
some industry.  Let  us  not  be  slothful  in  busi- 
ness, but  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord. 

Gracious  God,  enable  us  to  cultivate  on  our 
own  behalf  and  for  the  benefit  of  others  the  gift 


TALENTS.  IO3 

of  knowledge.  M  ike  us  understand  and  practice 
all  the  duties  which  belong  to  the  possession  of 
this  talent.  Do  thou  enlighten  our  judgments 
and  strengthen  our  memories  and  teach  our 
understandings.  Keep  us  from  error  and  guide 
us  into  truth.  Especially  do  thou  show  us, 
O  Lord,  the  path  of  life  and  make  us  wise  unto 
salvation. 

Help  us  to  consecrate  our  property  to  thee, 
using  it  in  relation  to  thee  and  to  ourselves 
and  to  our  fellow-creatures  according  to  the 
requirements  of  thy  will.  All  we  have  comes 
from  thee  and  belongs  to  thee,  for  thou  art  the 
Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  and  we  are 
only  the*stewards  of  thy  bounty.  Let  us  not 
seek  to  make  our  possessions,  whether  great  or 
small,  the  instruments  of  a  selfish  gratification 
which  cloys  upon  the  senses  and  depraves  the 
heart.  Let  us  not  seek  to  lay  up  treasures  on 
earth,  where  moth  and  rust  corrupt  and  thieves 
break  through  and  steal,  but  may  we  be  per- 
suaded that  there  are  better  and  nobler  uses  for 
thy  gifts;  that  the  self-denying  or  moderate  en- 
joyment of  our  property  is  better  for  the  body 
and  safer  for  the  soul;  that  there  is  that  which 
scattereth  and  yet  increaseth ;  and  that  it  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  Oh,  do  thou  take 
away  from  our  souls  all  their  tendencies  to  selfish 
gratification,  and  implant  there  a  vigorous,  gener- 
ous spirit  of  charity  that  will  take  more  pleasure 


104  HOME    WORSHIP. 

in  supplying  the  temporal  and  spiritual  wants  of 
mankind  than  in  seeking  to  live  in  pleasure  on 
the  earth  and  nourishing  our  hearts  as  in  a  day 
of  slaughter. 

Lord,  thou  hast  given  to  each  of  us  a  measure 
of  personal  influence  which  may  be  an  instrument 
of  good  or  evil.  Oh,  grant  that  we  may  feel  our 
accountability  for  it  and  use  it  for  thy  service. 
Vouchsafe  that  our  characters  and  opinions  may 
be  so  formed,  and  our  personal  intercourse  with 
mankind  so  directed,  as  to  promote  the  great 
interests  of  humanity — that  we  may  not  live  nor 
die  under  the  dishonor  that  we  have  been  dead 
branches,  but  living  members,  of  the  tree  of  life, 
whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  th«  nations. 
Great  God,  we  implore  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  that  we  may  so  understand  and  employ 
all  the  talents  thou  hast  bestowed  on  us  that  in 
the  great  day  of  reckoning  we  may  receive  the 
plaudit,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant ! 
Enter  ye  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord."  Amen. 


THE  WORLD,  THE  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL. 

LORD,  bestow  on  us  at  this  time,  in  the  name 
of  Jesus,  that  grace  which  will  enable  us  to 
worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Make  us 
feel  our  need  of  thy  help  and  thy  willingness  to 


WORLD,  FLESH  AND  DEVIL.  IO5 

bless  us.  And  may  we  have  blessed  experience 
that  thou  art  the  Rewarder  of  all  that  diligently 
seek  thee. 

Heavenly  Father,  we  would  come  to  thee  with 
a  humble  supplication  that  thou  wouldst  keep 
us  from  the  evil  that  is  in  the  world.  Divest  it 
of  the  charms  which  cloy  the  appetite  and  cor- 
rupt the  heart  while  we  use  them,  and  which 
indeed  perish  while  we  enjoy  them.  Let  not  the 
world  deceive  us  with  its  honors,  for  they  are 
but  the  empty  promise  of  the  bubble,  which  glit- 
ters in  the  sunbeam,  but  breaks  when  we  touch 
it.  Let  not  the  world  delude  us  with  its  riches, 
for  these  are  treasures  which  moth  and  rust  cor- 
rupt and  into  which  thieves  break  through  and 
steal,  or  which,  if  we  are  permitted  to  enjoy  them, 
lead  the  soul  away  in  forgetfulness  and  ingratitude 
from  God,  bind  the  heart  in  the  chains  of  worldly 
conformity  and  self-indulgence,  nourish  pride,  in- 
dolence and  unfeelingness,  and  palsy  faith,  zeal 
and  prayer.  O  Lord,  raise  us  above  the  lines 
which  the  wicked  may  throw  out,  directly  or 
indirectly,  to  draw  us  from  the  path  of  duty  and 
lead  us  in  the  way  of  sin.  Protect  us  from  injury 
in  our  persons,  property  or  reputation  by  those 
who  love  evil-doing.  And  oh,  let  us  not  be  in 
anything  conformed  to  this  world  that  lieth  in 
wickedness. 

Our  Father  in  heaven,  be  graciously  pleased  to 
keep  us  from  the  evil  that  is  in  our  own  hearts. 


106  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Rebuke  those  feelings  of  vanity  that  lead  us  to 
think  more  highly  of  ourselves  than  we  ought  to 
think.  Take  away  from  us  that  spirit  of  pride 
which  makes  us  so  prone  to  look  down  with 
contempt  or  indifference  or  reproach  on  others, 
and  to  demand  the  tribute  of  praise  or  homage 
from  our  fellow-creatures.  Remove  far  from  us 
that  selfishness  which  makes  us  regardless  of  the 
rights  and  interests  of  others,  and  lead  us  to  pur- 
sue our  own  welfare  as  the  chief  and  only  good 
of  life.  Subdue  that  impatience  of  spirit  which 
is  restless  and  unhappy  and  rebellious  under 
opposition  and  disappointment  and  adversity. 
Save  us  from  the  dominion  of  that  unbelief  which 
leads  us  so  often  to  depart  from  the  living  God, 
dishonoring  thy  glorious  name,  thy  precious 
word  and  thy  righteous  providence.  And,  O  Lord, 
conquer  in  us  all  those  forms  of  sin  which  fill 
every  pathway  of  life  with  thorns,  which  make  us 
unworthy  of  the  confidence  of  the  good,  which 
grieve  away  thy  Spirit  and  shut  out  from  us  the 
light  of  thy  countenance.  O  Lord,  who  can 
bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  this  unclean  ?  Do 
thou  put  within  us  new  hearts  and  renew  within 
us  right  spirits,  that,  the  body  of  sin  being  de- 
stroyed, we  may  no  longer  serve  sin,  but  be  the 
servants  of  righteousness. 

O  Thou  who  art  the  strength  of  all  that  put 
their  trust  in  thee,  protect  us  from  the  open  and 
secret  influences  of  Satan,  who  is  the  great  adver- 


WORLD,  FLESH  AND  DEVIL.  JO/ 

sary  of  souls.  Oh,  let  us  not  be  heedless  of  the 
truth  that  he  exerts  his  power  even  on  the  hearts 
of  thine  own  chosen  people.  If  the  innocence  of 
Paradise  and  the  spotless  purity  of  Jesus  himself 
were  not  exempt  from  his  devices,  we  surely  can- 
not hope  to  escape  his  assaults.  But  we  implore 
aid  of  thy  grace  that  we  may  resist  them  and 
triumph  over  them.  Bestow  on  us  the  shield  of 
faith,  wherewith  we  may  be  able  to  quench  all  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one.  Give  us  wisdom 
to  detect  and  virtue  to  repel  all  his  temptations. 
Arm  us,  we  pray  thee,  with  the  sword  of  thy 
truth,  that  we  may  resist  the  devil,  so  that  he  may 
flee  from  us. 

Gracious  God,  while  we  would  supplicate  thee 
to  keep  us  from  the  evil  that  is  in  the  world,  and 
from  the  corruptions  of  our  own  hearts,  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan,  we  would  seek  of  thee  these 
immunities  on  behalf  of  others.  Oh,  do  thou  di- 
minish and  destroy  every  form  of  enticing  pub- 
lic or  social  vice.  Cleanse  the  hearts  of  men  by 
sanctifying  grace.  Overthrow  the  dominion  of 
Satan  in  every  bosom.  And  oh,  let  the  moral  as- 
pect of  mankind  speedily  become  such  as  will  fill 
all  human  hearts  with  joy  and  all  angelic  bosoms 
with  gladness  and  the  universe  with  glory  in  the 
highest  unto  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Spirit. 
Amen. 


108  HOME    WORSHIP. 


GOD. 

As  THE  OBJECT  OF  ADORATION,  HUMILITY,  FEAR,  CONFIDENCE, 
LOVE  AND  OBEDIENCE. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  art  exalted  above  every 
name,  that  at  thy  name  every  knee  should  bo\v 
and  every  tongue  confess.  Oh,  thou  art  infinite^ 
ly  worthy  of  the  adoration  of  all  thy  creatures. 
Thou  art  everlasting  in  being,  almighty  in  power, 
infinite  in  wisdom,  inflexible  in  justice,  eternal 
in  truth,  spotless  in  holiness  and  boundless  in 
mercy.  All  thy  works  praise  thee  and  thy  saints 
bless  thee.  Help  us  by  the  influences  of  thy 
Spirit  to  appreciate  the  infinite  excellences  of 
thy  character  and  to  bow  before  thee  as  over 
all,  God  blessed  for  ever. 

Grant  us,  O  Lord,  with  these  contemplations 
of  thy  character  such  views  of  our  own  unwor- 
thiness  as  will  humble  us  in  the  dust  before  thee. 
We  are  creatures  of  yesterday ;  we  dwell  in  houses 
of  clay  and  live  from  moment  to  moment  at  the 
expense  of  thy  goodness.  We  are  ignorant,  not 
knowing  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  We  are 
helpless,  not  being  able  to  make  one  hair  of  our 
heads  either  white  or  black.  We  are  by  nature 
the  children  of  wrath,  and  in  our  best  estate  it 
becomes  us  to  say,  "  God,  be  merciful  to  us  sin- 
ners." Lo  !  the  angels  of  heaven  veil  their  faces 
before  thee  in  expressive  token  of  inferiority  and 
unworthiness.  What,  therefore,  is  man  that  thou 


GOD.  lOQ 

art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son  of  man  that  thou 
visitest  him  ?  Oh,  give  us  that  purity  of  spirit 
which  has  the  promise  of  thy  kingdom,  and  that 
contrite  heart  which  thou  makest  thy  dwelling- 
place. 

Gracious  God,  bestow  on  us  that  fear  of  thee 
which  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom,  which  is  also 
a  fountain  of  life  that  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever. 
Let  not  our  fear  of  thee  be  the  dread  of  a  slave 
nor  the  terror  of  a  criminal,  but  the  awe  of  a 
servant  mingled  with  the  love  of  a  child.  May 
it  lead  us  to  shun  thy  displeasure,  to  desire  thy 
favor,  to  hate  evil  and  to  do  thy  pleasure  in  all 
the  walks  of  life. 

Enable  us  to  confide  in  thee,  for  thou  art 
the  strength  of  all  that  put  their  trust  in  thee. 
Thou  art  boundless  in  wisdom,  omnipotent  in 
power  and  infinite  in  goodness.  Thou  wilt  not 
withhold  any  good  thing  from  him  that  walketh 
uprightly,  and  thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect 
peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because 
he  trusteth  in  thee.  Give  us  grace  to  cast  all 
our  cares  on  thee  in  perils,  in  wants,  in  losses, 
in  griefs,  in  sickness  and  in  death.  Say  unto  us 
in  every  tribulation,  "  What  I  do  thou  knowest 
not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  Assure 
us  that  thou  makest  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  thee,  and  that  as  thou 
didst  not  withhold  thine  own  Son,  but  didst  de- 
liver him  up  for  us,  thou  wilt  with  him  freely  give 


110  HOME    WORSHIP, 

us  all  things.  O  Lord,  suffer  us  never  to  cast 
away  our  confidence,  which  hath  great  recom- 
pense of  reward. 

Gracious  God,  put  into  our  hearts  the  spirit  of 
ardent  love  to  thee.  Thou  art  infinitely  worthy 
of  our  best  and  strongest  affections  ;  for  if  we 
can  esteem  purity  and  benevolence  among  our 
fellow-creatures,  how  infinitely  more  ought  we 
to  admire  and  regard  that  holiness  which  cannot 
look  upon  sin  without  abhorrence,  and  that  good- 
ness which  brings  with  every  moment  of  life 
some  record  of  thy  mercy !  Fill  our  souls 
with  an  affectionate  admiration  of  thy  character 
and  dealings.  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the 
water-brooks,  so  may  our  hearts  pant  after  thee 
and  our  desires  be  continually  unto  thee  and 
the  remembrance  of  thy  name. 

Lord,  bestow  on  us  the  spirit  of  full-hearted 
and  unreserved  obedience  to  thy  will.  Thou  hast 
an  infinite  right  to  our  services,  for  thou  hast 
made  us  and  nurtured  us  and  protected  us  ;  and 
when  we  had  made  ourselves  unworthy  of  thy 
life-giving  favor  and  worthy  of  eternal  death, 
thou  didst  offer  unto  us  the  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ,  by  which  we  might  be  redeemed  from  end- 
less wrath  and  made  heirs  of  eternal  life.  Lord, 
help  us  to  avoid  everything  thou  hast  forbidden 
and  to  do  everything  thou  hast  commanded.  En- 
able us  to  present  ourselves  to  thee,  living  sacri- 
fices, holy  and  acceptable,  which  is  our  most 


KNOWLEDGE,  HOLINESS  AND  ZEAL.      1 1 1 

reasonable  service.  Do  thou  make  us  zealous 
of  good  work,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord. 

O  Lord,  grant  that  the  multitudes  of  mankind 
who  live  regardless  of  their  obligations  to  thee 
may  be  brought  to  acknowledge  with  adoring 
hearts  the  infinite  perfections  of  thy  name  and  to 
humble  themselves  before  thee  in  their  unworthi- 
ness  and  ill-desert.  Put  into  their  hearts  that  fear 
which  has  the  promise  of  thy  mercy.  Teach 
them  to  trust  thee  in  all  thy  ways  and  in  all  thy 
word.  Call  forth  the  warm  and  steadfast  affections 
of  their  hearts  to  thee  as  their  enduring  portion, 
and  make  them  thy  willing  servants  in  the  ways 
of  salvation. 

Heavenly  Father,  shed  on  us  now  the  refresh- 
ing and  sanctifying  power  of  thy  Spirit,  and  give 
us  grace  to  ascribe  the  kingdom,  power  and 
glory  unto  the  Father,  Son  and  Spirit  for  ever. 
Amen. 


KNOWLEDGE,  HOLINESS  AND  ZEAL. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  art  the  Source  of  every 
blessing.  Thou  art  the  Fountain  of  wisdom,  sanc- 
tification  and  obedience.  Without  thee  we  can 
acquire  nothing  and  be  nothing  and  do  nothing. 
Thanks  be  unto  thy  name,  thy  blessing  can  make 
us  wise  and  pure  and  dutiful  Lord,  we  would  re- 


112  HOME    WORSHIP. 

member,  in  seeking  these  things  and  all  others,  that 
our  only  hope  of  success  is  in  the  advocacy  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Oh,  receive  us  in  his  name. 
Let  his  worthiness  be  the  reason  of  our  accept- 
ance and  his  intercession  the  ground  of  our 
blessing. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  had  com- 
passion on  the  ignorance  of  our  race  and  hast 
given  us  a  revelation  of  truth.  Alas  !  the  world 
by  wisdom  knew  not  God,  for  whilst  they  were 
professing  themselves  to  be  wise  they  became 
fools.  We  bless  thee  that,  though  they  did 
change  the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie,  thou  didst 
send  thy  word  as  a  light  shining  in  a  dark  place. 
And  we  especially  thank  thee  that  to  us  who  live 
in  the  ends  of  the  earth  thou  hast  given  line 
upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept,  so  that  we 
may  learn  what  we  should  believe  concerning 
thee  and  what  duty  thou  requirest  of  us.  Yet  we 
desire  to  realize  that  the  provision  thou  hast  thus 
mercifully  made  to  remove  our  ignorance  will  be 
fruitless  unless  thou  give  us  the  enlightening  in- 
fluences of  the  Spirit.  Oh,  may  we  ever  seek  his 
light  in  the  pursuit  of  truth.  Do  thou  grant  it 
unto  us,  according  to  thy  promise  that  if  any  man 
lack  wisdom  and  ask  it  of  thee,  it  shall  be  given  to 
him.  Lord,  keep  us  from  every  form  of  error 
in  seeking  religious  knowledge.  Guide  us  to  the 
possession  of  every  truth  in  relation  to  thee,  our- 
selves and  our  fellow-creatures.  Give  us  grace  to 


KNOWLEDGE,  HOLINESS  AND  ZEAL.      113 

hold  fast  the  form  of  sound  doctrines  and  to 
maintain  the  truth  at  the  sacrifice  of  ease,  prop- 
erty, reputation  and  life  itself.  Especially  do 
thou  bestow  on  us  that  wisdom  from  above 
which  is  first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to 
be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  with- 
out partiality  and  without  hypocrisy. 

Grant  us  the  spirit  of  holiness.  We  confess 
that  we  are  by  nature  the  heirs  of  transgres- 
sion, and  that  the  works  of  sin  develop  them- 
selves continually  in  our  thoughts,  words  and 
actions,  so  that  we  are  often  constrained  to  cry, 
"  Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  this  un- 
clean ?"  But  the  things  which  are  impossible 
with  man  are  possible  with  God.  Thou  canst 
purge  these  chambers  of  iniquity  and  make  them 
temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Oh,  bestow  on  us, 
we  pray  thee,  that  work  of  thy  free  grace  whereby 
we  shall  be  renewed  in  the  whole  man  after  the 
image  of  God,  and  be  enabled  more  and  more 
to  die  unto  sin  and  to  live  unto  righteousness. 
Teach  us  to  be  holy  because  thou  art  holy.  May 
we  remember  that  it  was  sin  brought  death  into 
the  world  with  all  its  woes,  and  that  it  nailed  the 
Son  of  God  to  the  accursed  tree.  May  the  hope 
of  his  purchased  redemption  be  a  strong  motive 
to  purify  ourselves,  even  as  he  is  pure.  Warn  us 
from  the  commission  of  sin  by  deep  and  alarm- 
ing convictions  of  its  guilt  and  misery  and  dan- 
ger. And  may  we  ever  remember  that  without 


114  HOME    WORSHIP. 

holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.  Oh,  let  thy 
grace  be  in  us  as  a  perpetual  fountain  of  godli- 
ness, and  may  we  go  from  strength  to  strength 
and  be  as  the  shining  light  that  shineth  more 
and  more  to  the  perfect  day. 

Lord,  teach  us  that  he  who  knoweth  his  Mas- 
ter's will  and  doeth  it  not  shall  be  beaten  with 
many  stripes.  Not  every  one  that  saith,  "  Lord, 
Lord  !"  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he 
that  doeth  the  will  of  our  Father  in  heaven. 
Suffer  us  not  to  be  content  with  a  passive  exemp- 
tion from  error  and  an  indolent  knowledge  of 
truth,  nor  yet  with  a  personal  security  from  the 
guilt  and  misery  and  danger  of  sin,  but  do  thou 
make  us  zealous  of  good  works.  Lead  us  to  in- 
quire diligently  what  thou  wilt  have  us  to  do,  for 
we  are  bound  to  glorify  thee  in  our  bodies  and 
spirits,  which  are  thine.  Create  us  in  Christ 
Jesus  unto  good  works  and  make  us  as  branches 
abiding  in  the  vine  bearing  fruit.  Teach  us  that 
whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap. 
May  thy  word  be  in  our  hearts  as  good  seed  that 
beareth  an  hundredfold.  Oh,  give  us  patient  con- 
tinuance in  well-doing,  and  let  our  obedience 
have  that  symmetry  and  fullness  which  consists 
in  adding  to  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance, 
patience,  godliness,  brotherly-kindness  and  char- 
ity. Nevertheless,  O  Lord,  do  thou  keep  us 
from  thoughts  and  boastings  of  righteousness, 
for  it  is  not  by  works  we  can  do  that  we  shall  be 


TRINITY.  1 1 5 

justified,  but   by  thy   grace  through   Jesus   our 
Saviour. 

Gracious  God,  hear  and  answer  these  our  im- 
perfect petitions,  and  the  praise  of  every  bless- 
ing we  will  render  to  the  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit,  now,  henceforth  and  for  ever.  Amen. 


TRINITY. 

BLESSED  and  triune  Jehovah,  give  us  grace  at 
this  time  to  approach  thy  mercy-seat,  enjoying 
those  perceptions  of  truth  which  agree  with  thy 
word,  and  those  exercises  of  feeling  which  are 
in  harmony  with  thy  will. 

Heavenly  Father,  we  thank  thee  for  the  as- 
surance given  us  that  if  earthly  parents  know 
how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children,  much 
more  will  our  Father  in  heaven  give  his  Holy 
Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him.  Oh,  may  we  indeed 
claim  the  relation  of  children,  not  alone  that  of 
nature,  but  that  also  of  grace,  in  which  we  can 
look  to  thee  as  our  reconciled  God  and  Father 
in  the  Lord  Jesus.  Oh,  bless  us  with  thy  paternal 
gifts.  Guide  us  by  thy  counsel,  for  our  wisdom 
is  folly ;  and  if  thou  leave  us  to  the  dictates  of 
unaided  reason,  we  will  run  the  giddy  mazes  of 
vanity  and  become  the  prey  of  error.  Protect 
us  by  thy  power,  for  our  strength  is  weakness  ; 


Il6  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  if  thou  dost  not  succor  us  by  thy  might, 
we  will  be  crushed  before  the  moth.  Oh,  supply 
us  by  thy  goodness,  for  we  are  the  pensioners  of 
thy  bounty,  and  without  thy  sustaining  mercies 
we  must  perish.  We  thank  thee  that  we  have 
so  often  and  so  long  and  so  richly  enjoyed  thy 
counsel  and  protection  and  mercy,  that  thou 
hast  given  us  thy  word  and  Spirit  to  teach  and 
guide  us,  that  thy  power  has  been  exerted  to 
defend  and  uphold  us,  and  that  thy  loving-kind- 
ness has  sought  every  moment  for  occasions  to 
nourish  and  bless  us.  Oh,  let  gratitude,  love 
and  obedience  animate  our  hearts  in  view  of  our 
obligations  to  thee,  that  henceforth  we  may  be 
worthy  to  be  the  children  of  thy  love. 

Blessed  Jesus,  we  would  come  to  the  mercy- 
seat  remembering  that  he  that  honoreth  not  the 
Son  honoreth  not  the  Father  that  sent  him. 
Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  thou  wast  before  all 
things,  to  receive  honor  and  glory  and  power,  for 
thou  hast  created  all  things  and  thou  knowest 
all  things.  Oh,  may  our  hearts  acknowledge  the 
truth  that  in  thee  dwells  the  fullness  of  the  God- 
head bodily. 

Blessed  Saviour,  reveal  to  us  by  thy  word  and 
Spirit  the  will  of  God  for  our  salvation.  Let  thy 
truth  be  a  savor  of  life  unto  life  and  thy  grace 
teach  us  to  deny  ungodliness  and  live  righteously. 
And  help  us  to  acknowledge  thee  as  our  great 
High  Priest,  who,  though  thou  wast  rich,  for  our 


TRINITY.  I  \7 

sakes  became  poor  that  we  through  thy  poverty 
might  be  made  rich,  and  though  thou  knewest  no 
sin  wast  made  sin  for  us  that  we  might  be  made 
the  righteousness  of  God  through  thee,  and 
though  thou  wast  the  Prince  of  life,  yet  didst 
die,  the  Just  for  the  unjust,  that  thou  mightest 
bring  us  to  God.  Yet  thou  didst  not  see  corrup- 
tion, but  rose  again  the  third  day  to  the  right 
hand  of  God,  there  to  plead  for  the  purchase  of 
thy  blood. 

Gracious  Saviour,  be  thou  the  Author  and 
Finisher  of  our  faith.  Let  thy  precious  sacrifice 
satisfy  divine  justice  and  reconcile  us  to  God. 
And  do  thou  make  intercession  for  us  with  the 
Majesty  on  high.  Lord  Jesus,  we  would  submit 
to  thy  sceptre.  Subdue  us  to  thyself,  rule  over 
us,  defend  us,  and  restrain  and  conquer  all  thine 
and  our  enemies. 

Blessed  Spirit,  do  thou  exercise  toward  us 
all  the  gracious  offices  of  thy  divine  character. 
Convince  us  of  sin,  of  righteousness  and  of 
judgment.  Justify  us  freely  by  thy  grace  through 
the  redemption  there  is  in  Jesus.  Give  us  the 
spirit  of  adoption  by  which  we  may  cry  "  Abba, 
Father !"  and  do  thou  bear  witness  with  our  spirits 
that  we  are  thy  children.  Sanctify  us  by  thy 
grace  that  we  may  be  enabled  more  and  more  to 
die  unto  sin  and  live  unto  righteousness.  Lead 
us  into  the  knowledge  and  love  of  the  truth. 
Redeem  and  preserve  us  from  error.  Teach  us 


Il8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

to  pray  and  make  intercession  within  us.  Restore 
us  in  all  our  backslidings  and  establish  our  go- 
ings. Be  thou  our  Comforter  in  every  affliction 
of  body  and  in  every  distress  of  mind  and  in 
every  sorrow  of  spirit.  And,  O  Thou  whose 
ministrations  are  life  because  of  righteousness, 
seal  us  with  that  holy  spirit  of  promise  which  is 
the  earnest  of  our  inheritance  until  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  purchased  possession. 

Gracious  Jehovah,  subdue  unto  thyself  those 
who,  though  thou  hast  nourished  and  brought 
them  up  as  children,  have  rebelled  against  thee. 
May  they  kiss  the  Son  lest  he  be  angry  and  they 
perish  from  his  way  when  his  wrath  is  kindled 
but  a  little.  Cast  out  of  them  the  unclean  spirit 
and  make  them  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

And  now,  Lord,  grant  that  the  love  of  the 
Father  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Son  and  the 
communion  of  the  Spirit  may  rest  upon  us 
henceforth  and  for  ever.  Amen. 


NATURE,  GRACE  AND  GLORY. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  would  not  draw  nigh  unto 
thee  with  our  mouth  and  honor  thee  with  our 
lips  while  our  hearts  are  far  from  thee,  but  we 
would  worship  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  in 
spirit  and  in  truth. 


NATURE,  GRACE  AND   GLORY.  119 

Lord,  thou  didst  make  man  in  thine  own  image, 
in  knowledge,  righteousness  and  holiness.  But 
he  abode  not  in  honor.  The  crown  of  glory 
thou  didst  give  him  fell  from  him,  his  gold  be- 
came dim  and  his  most  fine  gold  was  changed, 
and  he  to  whom  thou  didst  give  dominion  over 
the  creatures,  and  whom  thou  didst  make  a  com- 
panion of  angels  and  an  heir  of  heaven,  became 
the  slave  of  his  own  perverted  and  corrupted 
passions,  a  comrade  of  devils  and  an  heir  of  hell. 
When  thou  didst  look  down  from  heaven  upon 
the  children  of  men  to  see  if  there  were  any 
that  did  understand  and  seek  God,  behold,  they 
had  all  gone  aside,  they  had  altogether  become 
filthy;  there  was  none  that  did  good,  no,  not  one. 

We  were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath  even 
as  others.  Our  hearts  were  full  of  evil  and  we 
went  astray  from  our  birth;  our  carnal  minds 
were  enmity  against  thee,  so  that  from  the  crown 
of  our  heads  to  the  sole  of  our  feet  there  was 
nothing  but  wounds  and  bruises  and  putrefying 
sores.  Oh,  do  thou  give  us  those  feelings  of 
humility  and  penitence  which  become  us  in  view 
of  our  degraded  and  condemned  estate.  We  lay 
in  the  open  field,  polluted  in  our  own  blood, 
a  spectacle  of  shame  to  every  holy  being.  Thou 
didst  put  on  the  garments  of  vengeance  for  clo- 
thing and  wast  angry  with  us  every  day.  And 
it  was  only  because  thy  mercy  restrained  thy 
judgment  that  thy  wrath  was  not  revealed  from 


I2O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

heaven   against  our  unrighteousness  and  ungod- 
liness. 

Gracious  God,  we  magnify  thy  mercy  that  in 
the  midst  of  deserved  wrath  thou  didst  remember 
undeserved  mercy.  Thou  hast  not  left  the  chil- 
dren of  the  apostasy  to  perish  in  their  guilt,  but 
hast  proffered  to  them  a  covenant  of  grace  by 
which  they  may  be  rescued  from  the  degradation 
and  guilt  and  punishment  of  sin,  and  be  honored 
and  sanctified  and  blessed  in  the  plan  of  salvation 
by  a  Redeemer.  O  Lord,  grant  that  we  may 
have  personal  experience  of  all  the  benefits  of 
that  precious  redemption.  Grant  us  that  repent- 
ance for  sin  that  needeth  not  to  be  repented  of. 
Blot  out  our  manifold  and  aggravated  transgres- 
sions for  Jesus'  sake.  Give  us  the  washing  of 
regeneration  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Build  us  up  on  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and 
prophets,  Jesus  Christ  being  the  chief  corner- 
stone. Accept  of  us  as  righteous  in  thy  sight 
only  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ  imputed  to 
us  and  received  by  faith  alone.  Grant  us  the 
assurance  that  we  are  no  longer  the  children  of 
wrath,  but  sons  of  adoption.  Renew  us  day  by 
day  in  thy  holy  image  that  our  path  may  be  like 
the  light  that  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  day.  Teach  us  to  pray  that  we  may  wor- 
ship thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Oh,  make  us 
servants  unto  thee  that  our  fruit  may  be  holi- 
ness and  the  end  everlasting  life. 


NATURE,    GRACE  AND    GLORY.  121 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  revealed 
to  us  the  glories  of  thy  heavenly  kingdom.  Thou 
hast  not  only  translated  men  from  darkness  into 
light,  bringing  them  from  a  state  of  nature  into 
one  of  grace,  but  thou  art  willing  to  crown  every 
other  mercy  with  a  place  at  thy  right  hand,  where 
there  is  fullness  of  joy  and  pleasures  for  ever- 
more. Oh,  give  us  hearts  to  understand  and 
love  and  seek  after  that  glory.  Here  we  see 
through  a  glass  darkly,  but  there  we  shall  see  face 
to  face.  Here  we  know  but  in  part,  but  there  we 
shall  know  even  as  we  are  known.  Oh,  enable 
us  to  lay  up  treasures  in  heaven  that  where  our 
treasures  are  there  our  hearts  may  be  also. 
Grant  that  we  may  run  so  as  to  obtain — that, 
casting  aside  every  weight  and  the  sin  which  doth 
so  easily  beset  us,  we  may  run  with  patience  the 
race  set  before  us,  looking  to  Jesus,  the  Author 
and  Finisher  of  our  faith,  and  that,  forgetting  those 
things  that  are  behind  and  reaching  forth  toward 
those  things  which  are  before,  we  may  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  call- 
ing of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  redeem  the  world  from  the  fruits  of 
the  apostasy.  Let  thine  image,  marred  and  dis- 
figured by  the  fall,  be  restored  to  the  human  fam- 
ily, that  the  beauty  of  Eden  may  again  bless  and 
adorn  the  earth,  that  He  by  whose  mediation  sal- 
vation has  been  offered  may  rule  in  a  kingdom 
of  grace  over  every  human  heart,  and  that  man- 


122  HOME    WORSHIP, 

kind,  rejoicing  in  love  and  holiness  and  obedience 
and  wisdom,  may  reflect,  even  in  the  imperfection 
of  human  life,  that  kingdom  of  glory  where  wis- 
dom and  obedience  and  holiness  and  love  shall 
be  perfected  for  ever.  Amen. 


THE  GOSPEL  ARMOR. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  in  need — in  pressing  need — of  thy  sovereign 
help.  We  carry  corruption  about  with  us  in  our 
own  natures,  we  meet  temptation  from  the  world 
wherever  we  go,  and  we  wrestle  not  against  flesh 
and  blood  only,  but  against  principalities,  against 
powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this 
world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places. 
But  we  bless  thee  that  thou  hast  promised  help 
in  every  hour  of  need  to  those  who  trust  thee 
with  all  the  heart.  And  we  would  come  to  thee 
in  dependence  and  faith  to  ask  thee  to  clothe  us 
with  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  we  may  be 
able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having 
done  all  to  stand. 

Lord,  gird  thou  our  loins  about  with  truth.  We 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  revealed  to  us  what  we 
are  to  believe  concerning  thee  and  the  duties  thou 
requirest  of  us,  and  that  thou  art  teaching  us  by 
thy  word  and  Spirit  the  will  of  God  for  our  sal- 


THE   GOSPEL  ARMOR.  1 23 

vation.  Oh,  gui  ie  us  into  the  fullness  of  righteous 
and  holy  knowledge  and  preserve  us  from  every 
error.  Let  not  the  condemnation  rest  upon  us 
that  we  have  known  our  Master's  will,  but  did  it 
not.  Let  us  not  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteous- 
ness, but  in  love  and  obedience.  Sanctify  us  by 
thy  truth :  thy  word  is  truth. 

Lord,  bestow  on  us  the  breastplate  of  right- 
eousness. Make  us  obedient  toward  thee  and 
upright  toward  our  fellow-creatures,  so  that  we 
shall  have  a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward 
God  and  man.  Oh,  do  thou  so  purify  and  elevate 
our  habitual  thoughts  and  feelings  that  temp- 
tation shall  find  in  us  less  and  less  proneness 
to  sin  and  more  and  more  delight  in  righteous- 
:-.  E  -  ~ 

Grant  that  our  feet  may  be  shod  with  the 
preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace.  In  all  the 
rugged  and  thorny  and  miry  and  steep  pathways 
of  life,  may  we  run  in  thy  strength  and  not  be 
weary,  walk  and  not  feint.  In  the  midst  of  the 
vexation  and  toil  and  pollution  of  this  world's 
pilgrimage,  may  the  peace  which  it  cannot  give 
nor  take  away  keep  our  hearts  and  minds 
through  Christ  Jesus. 

Give  us  that  shield  of  faith  wherew'th  we 
shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked.  Grant  us  such  strong  and  abiding  views 
of  the  excellence  of  thy  character,  the  claims  of 
thy  precepts,  the  faithfulness  of  thy  promise  and 


124  HOME    WORSHIP. 

the  justice  of  thy  ways — such  perceptions  of 
things  not  seen,  but  hoped  for — that  we  shall 
stand  unmoved  and  unhurt  in  the  contest  with 
the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil. 

Vouchsafe  unto  us  the  helmet  of  salvation, 
that  hope  in  the  redemption  of  Jesus  which 
will  assure  us  that,  though  thou  wast  angry  with 
us,  thine  anger  is  turned  away,  and  that  thou  wilt 
help  us  in  every  struggle  and  bring  us  off  more 
than  conquerors  through  Him  that  has  loved  us 
and  given  himself  for  us.  Lord,  if  thou  art  for 
us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  Oh,  do  thou  animate 
us  in  every  contest  by  visions  of  heavenly  glory, 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the 
weary  are  at  rest. 

Give  us  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is 
the  word  of  God.  Oh,  may  the  righteous  pre- 
cepts and  bright  examples  and  fearful  warnings 
and  precious  promises  of  revelation  be  treasured 
up  in  our  affections  and  memories,  and  be  ever 
ready  for  use  in  our  contests  with  sin.  Make 
these  weapons  of  our  warfare  mighty  through 
God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strongholds. 

Gracious  God,  grant  that  in  all  the  strife  of  this 
militant  life  we  may  watch  with  persevering  prayer 
in  the  Spirit,  that  we  wrestle  not  in  our  own 
strength,  which  is  weakness  ;  nor  in  our  own  wis- 
dom, which  is  folly ;  nor  in  our  own  merits,  which 
are  worthless ;  for  our  deliverance  is  in  thee, 
whence  alone  help  cometh. 


FRUITS  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  12$ 

Graciously  give  us  the  spirit  of  supplication 
for  all  saints,  that  thou  wouldst  bestow  on  thy 
people  that  truth  and  righteousness  and  peace 
and  faith  and  hope  which  will  enable  them  to 
stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil,  and  to 
be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might 

Great  God,  thou  hast  taught  us  that  thou 
rulest  in  the  armies  of  heaven  and  among  the 
inhabitants  of  earth,  and  that  there  is  none  who 
can  stay  thy  hand  or  say  unto  thee,  What  doest 
thou  ?  Oh,  take  unto  thee  thy  great  name  and 
go  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer  until  great 
voices  shall  be  heard  in  heaven  crying,  "Alle- 
luia !  alleluia !  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth."  Amen. 


FRUITS  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  would  come  to  thy  mercy-seat 
looking  to  the  Father  as  the  Hearer  and  to  the 
Son  as  the  Intercessor  and  to  the  Spirit  as  the 
Helper  of  prayer.  Oh,  give  us  grace  to  worship 
thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

We  thank  thee  for  that  work  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  by  which  those  who  were  once  dead 
in  trespasses  and  sins  awake  to  newness  of  life 
and  bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance.  Oh, 
do  thou  break  up  the  fallow  ground  of  our  hearts, 


126  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  sow  there  the  seed  of  truth,  and  refresh  them 
even  as  showers  that  water  the  earth. 

Oh,  give  us  the  grace  of  love,  which  is  the  ful- 
filling of  the  law.  Be  thou  our  chief  good,  for 
thou  art  lovely  in  thy  character  and  word  and 
works.  And  may  we  love  all  thy  creatures, 
especially  those  that  are  of  the  household  of 
faith.  Cause  our  affections  to  go  forth  to  thee 
with  the  confidence  of  children  to  a  parent,  and 
toward  mankind  as  brethren  of  one  family  whose 
head  is  the  Father  of  spirits,  from  whom  cometh 
every  good  and  perfect  gift. 

Lord,  grant  us  the  joy  of  the  Spirit.  Manifest 
thyself  unto  us  as  thou  dost  not  unto  the  world. 
Enable  us  to  rejoice  in  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 
Give  us  that  precious  faith  that  will  enable  us  to 
repose  on  thee  for  wisdom,  strength  and  bounty. 
May  we  find  all  the  means  of  grace,  springs  of 
gladness  and  streams  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord.  And  oh,  do  thou  throw 
around  all  our  pathways  the  light  of  the  upper 
sanctuary,  that  even  in  this  world  we  may  enjoy 
foretastes  rich  and  abiding  of  the  joys  of  endless 
life. 

Grant  us  that  fruit  of  righteousness  which 
is  sown  in  peace  of  those  that  make  peace. 
Give  us  that  trust  in  God  which  will  bring  qui- 
etness into  our  own  spirits,  and  that  good-will  to 
man  which  will  gain  us  the  friendship  or  save  us 
from  the  enmity  of  our  fellow-creatures.  Lord, 


FKUITS  OF  THE  SPIRIT.  12? 

enable  us,  if  possible,  to  live  peaceably  with  all 
men,  and  do  thou  promote  peace  between  man 
and  man  and  between  nation  and  nation  until  con- 
tention and  war  cease  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

Vouchsafe  unto  us,  O  Lord,  the  grace  of  long- 
suffering.  Give  us  a  frame  of  mind  that  is  not 
easily  provoked,  that  beareth  all  things  and 
endureth  all  things,  that  suffereth  long  and  is 
still  kind.  Thou  hast  taught  us  that  if  we  do 
well  and  suffer  for  it,  and  yet  take  it  patiently, 
this  is  acceptable  to  God.  Oh,  grant  that  we 
may  not  be  overcome  of  evil,  but  that  we  may 
overcome  evil  with  good. 

May  we  ever  remember  that  the  servant  of 
God  must  not  strive,  but  be  gentle  to  all  men. 
May  we  remember  Him  who  was  led  as  a  lamb 
to  the  slaughter,  and  like  a  sheep  dumb  before 
his  shearer  opened  not  his  mouth  ;  who  when  he 
suffered  threatened  not,  but  committed  himself 
to  Him  that  judgeth  righteously,  leaving  us  as  an 
example  that  we  should  follow  in  his  steps.  Oh, 
give  us  that  wisdom  from  above  which  is  gentle 
and  easy  to  be  entreated. 

Lord,  incline  us  to  do  good  as  we  have  oppor- 
tunity. Let  the  wants  and  woes  of  mankind 
ever  excite  our  sympathy.  May  we  remember 
that  the  love  of  God  dwelleth  not  in  him  who, 
having  this  world's  goods  and  seeing  his  brother 
have  need,  yet  shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  com- 
passion from  him.  May  we  desire  and  seek  by 


128  HOME    WORSHIP. 

acts  of  benevolence  the  blessing  of  those  who  are 
ready  to  perish.  And  oh,  may  we  so  act  that  in 
life  we  may  be  the  stewards  of  thy  bounty,  in 
death  our  memory  may  be  blessed,  and  in 
eternity  we  may  shine  as  the  stars  and  as  the 
brightness  of  the  firmament  for  ever. 

Imbue  us  with  the  grace  of  faith.  Oh,  en- 
able us  to  cast  aside  the  sin  of  unbelief,  which 
so  easily  besets  us,  and  to  run  with  patience  the 
race  that  is  set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the 
Author  and  Finisher  of  faith,  who  for  the  joy 
that  was  set  before  him  endured  the  cross,  de- 
spising the  shame,  and  is  set  down  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  throne  of  God.  Oh,  may  we  like 
him  triumph  over  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the 
devil,  and  receive  the  end  of  our  faith,  even  the 
salvation  of  our  souls. 

Grant  us  the  spirit  of  meekness.  May  we 
learn  of  Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly  of 
heart ;  for  if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
he  is  none  of  his.  Oh,  give  us  that  child-like 
and  gentle  temper  which  thou  hast  promised 
to  guide  in  judgment  and  beautify  with  salvation 
and  make  the  dwelling-place  of  thy  power  and 
mercy. 

Lord,  give  us  a  holy  and  temperate  use  of  all 
thy  mercies.  In  the  enjoyment  of  temporal  good 
restrain  us  from  indulgence  in  pride  and  luxury. 
May  we  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it.  In 
religious  duties  keep  us  on  one  hand  from  luke- 


GOSPEL  BLESSINGS.  12$ 

warmness  and  formality,  and  on  the  other  from 
enthusiasm  and  extravagance.  Enable  us  to 
adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all 
things,  so  that  our  path  may  be  as  the  light 
which  shineth  more  and  more  to  the  perfect 
fe.  Amen. 


GOSPEL  BLESSINGS. 

HEAVEXLY  FATHER,  enable  us  to  approach  thee 
in  the  name  of  Christ  with  thankful  hearts,  for 
we  are  pensioners  upon  thy  bounty  and  live  every 
moment  at  the  expense  of  thy  goodness.  Above 
the  multitude  of  every-day  comforts  we  would  ac- 
knowledge and  praise  the  blessings  of  the  gos- 
pel.  Although  we  had  forfeited  thy  favor  and 
had  not  even  a  right  to  thy  compassion,  thou 
didst  pity  and  succor  and  bless  us.  Though 
men  had  shrouded  their  minds  with  ignorance 
and  steeped  their  souls  in  sin  and  earned  the 
retribution  of  wrath,  thou  didst  send,  in  the  per- 
son and  work  of  thy  Son,  light  for  the  benighted, 
purity  for  the  unholy  and  the  hope  of  salvation 
for  the  heirs  of  perdition. 

Grant  us  a  rich  experience  of  the  consola- 
tions of  the  gospeL  May  we  forsake  our  broken 
cisterns  that  can  hold  no  water,  and  go  to  this 
fountain  of  living  waters  that  is  full  to  overflow- 
ing of  the  healing  streams  of  life. 

Give   us,   O   Lord,   the   grace   of   repentance. 

9 


130  HOME    WORSHIP. 

May  the  multitude  and  guilt  of  our  sins  be 
remembered  with  feelings  of  deep  humility  and 
strong  penitence  and  earnest  revulsion.  And  may 
we  wonder  and  adore  and  bless  thee  that  ever 
thou  hadst  thoughts  of  mercy  for  our  unworthy 
and  hell-deserving  souls,  for  we  ought  now, 
instead  of  a  place  of  prayer,  be  tenants  of 
despairing  woe.  Lord,  give  us  that  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ  which,  springing  from  a  deep  con- 
viction of  our  hopeless  estate  by  nature  and 
the  fullness  of  thy  mercy  in  him,  receives  and 
rests  upon  him  as  he  is  offered  in  the  gospel. 
As  thou  hast  made  Him  who  knew  no  sin  to  be 
sin  for  us,  may  we  be  made  the  righteousness  of 
God  in  him,  receiving  the  pardon  of  our  sins 
and  the  acceptance  of  our  persons  through  his 
ransom  and  mediation. 

Lord,  graciously  grant  us  assurance  of  thy  for- 
giving mercy.  May  we  know  Him  whom  we 
have  believed,  and  be  persuaded  that  thou  art 
able  to  keep  that  which  we  have  committed  to 
thee  until  the  great  day  when  those  who  have 
washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb  shall  have  an  entrance  min- 
istered abundantly  unto  them  into  the  everlast- 
ing kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  us  hearts  to  esteem  thy 
service  richer  pleasure  than  any  human  joys, 
lobler  honor  than  any  worldly  fame,  greater 


GOSPEL  BLESSINGS.  \$\ 

riches  than  any  earthly  treasure.  If  we  have 
indeed  been  bought  with  a  price,  let  us  not  live 
to  ourselves,  but  glorify  thee  in  our  bodies  and 
spirits,  which  are  thine  by  creation,  preservation 
and  benefaction  and  redemption. 

Lord,  enable  us  to  rejoice  in  thy  word  as  they 
that  find  great  spoil.  May  it  ever  bring  us  light 
when  we  are  in  darkness,  joy  when  we  are  in 
sorrow,  rest  when  we  are  heavy-laden,  food  when 
we  hunger  for  righteousness,  holiness  when  we 
are  assailed  by  sin,  and  hope  when  we  are  sinking 
in  despair.  Make  it  profitable  to  us  for  doctrine, 
for  reproof,  for  correction  and  for  instruction  in 
righteousness,  that  we  may  be  perfect,  thor- 
oughly furnished  unto  all  good  works. 

Bless  »to  us  the  appointment  of  the  Sabbath, 
that  day  which  in  mercy  thou  hast  made  for  man. 
Enable  us  to  profit  by  all  its  opportunities  for 
receiving  and  doing  good.  Oh,  may  we  ever 
keep  it  holy  according  to  thy  commandment, 
not  doing  our  own  ways  in  it  nor  finding  our  own 
pleasure  nor  speaking  our  own  words,  but  calling 
the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord, 
honorable,  and  honoring  thee  in  it  by  a  holy 
obedience. 

Lord,  may  we  love  the  habitation  of  thy  house, 
for  strength  and  beauty  are  in  thy  sanctuary. 
Make  us  faithful  to  all  its  services.  Enable  us 
there  to  make  melody  in  our  hearts  unto  the 
Lord,  to  worship  thee  in  the  beauty  of  holiness, 


132  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  to  receive  with  meekness  the  engrafted  word, 
which  is  able  to  save  our  souls. 

Lord,  teach  us  to  pray.  Show  us  our  need  and 
helplessness  and  thy  sufficiency  and  willingness. 
May  we  ever  go  to  thee  in  the  faith  of  thy  prom- 
ise that  none  shall  seek  thy  face  in  vain.  Draw 
nigh  unto  us  in  all  our  efforts  to  draw  nigh  unto 
thee,  and  quicken  us  by  thy  Spirit,  that  we  may 
not  call  upon  thee  with  feigned  lips,  but  in 
spirit  and  in  truth. 

Grant  us  that  hope  of  glory  which  is  a  chief 
end  and  the  final  blessing  of  the  gospel.  Assure 
us  that  when  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
shall  be  dissolved  we  shall  have  a  building  of 
God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens,  where  there  is  fullness  of, joy  and 
pleasures  for  evermore. 

Grant  all  thy  people  a  full  and  abiding  enjoy- 
ment of  gospel  blessings.  And  oh,  do  thou  bestow 
them  on  all  the  children  of  the  apostasy,  until  its 
good  tidings  of  great  joy  shall  reach  all  people. 
And  thine,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit,  shall  be  glory 
in  the  highest.  Amen. 


DUTIES  TO  GOD. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  our  hearts'  desire  and 
prayer  to  thee  is  that  thou  wouldst  teach  us  our 


DUTIES  TO  C-OD.  133 

duties  to  thee,  our  Creator,  Preserver,  Benefactor 
and  Redeemer,  and  that  thou  wouldst  enable  us 
so  to  perform  that  we  shall  escape  the  punish- 
ment of  those  who  know  their  Master's  will  and 
do  it  not 

Great  God,  we  would  acknowledge  thy  being, 
which  is  over  all,  blessed  for  ever ;  thy  wisdom, 
which  is  infinite  ;  thy  power,  which  has  made  and 
upheld  all  things ;  thy  holiness,  which  is  spotless  ; 
thy  justice,  which  is  righteous  altogether;  thy 
goodness,  which  is  over  all  thy  works  ;  and  thy 
promises,  which  are  yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Whom,  O  Lord,  shall  we  praise  but  thee  ?  for  thou 
art  God  alone,  and  beside  thee  there  is  none  other. 
Let  men  say  among  the  nations,  "  The  Lord 
reigneth,"  and  let  everything  that  hath  breath 
praise  the  Lord. 

Gracious  God,  we  bless  thee  that  in  sundry 
times  and  in  divers  manners  thou  didst  speak  in 
times  past  unto  the  fathers  by  the  prophets,  and 
that  thou  hast  in  the  last  days  also  spoken  unto 
us  by  thy  Son,  whom  thou  hast  made  heir  of  all 
things.  Oh,  may  we  receive  the  truth  in  the 
love  of  it,  giving  the  more  earnest  heed  to  the 
things  we  have  heard  lest  at  any  time  we  let 
them  slip.  For  if  the  word  spoken  by  angels 
was  steadfast  and  every  transgression  and  disobe- 
dience received  a  just  recompense  of  reward,  how 
shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation, 
which  at  the  first  began  to  be  spoken  by  the 


134  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Lord  and  was  confirmed  unto  us  by  them  that 
heard  him  ? 

Lord,  teach  us  to  pray.  Thou  art  indeed  not 
worshiped  as  though  thou  needest  anything,  for 
thou  givest  to  all  life  and  breath  and  all  things. 
But  thou  hast  commanded  the  service  of  prayer 
and  hast  made  it  the  channel  through  which  to 
enrich  us  out  of  thine  abundant  fullness,  and  hast 
thus  made  our  duty  and  privilege  one  and  indis- 
soluble. Help  us  to  worship  thee  in  the  beauty 
of  holiness ;  for  if  we  regard  iniquity  in  our  hearts, 
thou  wilt  not  hear  us.  May  we  draw  nigh  to 
thee  with  a  true  heart,  that  our  prayer  may  not 
go  out  of  feigned  lips.  May  we  ever  present 
ourselves  as  humble  penitents,  for  we  are  un- 
worthy of  the  least  of  thy  mercies.  Enable  us  to 
go  to  thee  with  the  full  assurance  of  faith,  be- 
lieving that  thou  art  the  Rewarder  of  them  that 
diligently  seek  thee.  May  our  petitions  always 
be  presented  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  whom  thou 
ever  hearest,  for  in  him  thou  art  ever  well  pleased. 
Oh,  grant  that  our  supplication  may  be  that  effect- 
ual fervent  prayer  that  availeth  much,  so  that  we 
may  obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time 
of  need. 

Gracious  God,  make  us  penitent  for  all  our 
transgressions  against  thee ;  our  sins  against  light 
and  love;  our  sins  of  omission  and  commission; 
our  sins  in  secret  and  in  public ;  our  sins  in 
seasons  of  recreation,  in  business  and  in  holy 


DUTIES   TO   GOD.  135 

things.  Oh,  let  not  our  repentance  be  the  sorrow 
of  the  world  that  worketh  death,  but  that  godly 
sorrow  that  worketh  repentance  to  salvation  not 
to  be  repented  of.  Give  us,  O  Lord,  the  bless- 
ings that  are  promised  to  the  broken  heart  and 
contrite  spirit.  Grant  us,  we  pray  thee,  redemp- 
tion through  the  blood  of  Christ,  the  forgiveness 
of  sins.  And  do  thou  mercifully  turn  us  from 
the  error  of  our  ways  to  the  wisdom  of  the 
just. 

O  Lord,  enable  us  to  cherish  all  those  feelings 
which  become  us  in  view  of  thine  infinite  perfec- 
tions. May  we  put  our  trust  in  thee  and  commit 
all  our  ways  to  thee,  with  the  hope  that  thou 
wilt  bring  forth  our  righteousness  as  the  light 
and  our  judgment  as  the  noonday.  Oh,  teach  us 
thy  fear,  which  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  and 
a  fountain  of  life  that  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever. 
May  we  love  thee  with  all  our  mind  and  strength 
and  heart,  and  let  every  token  of  thy  mercy  be 
precious  to  us,  especially  that  great  love  where- 
with thou  hast  loved  us,  in  that  while  we  were 
sinners  Christ  died  for  us. 

And  now,  Lord,  the  blessings  we  would  ask 
for  ourselves  we  would  seek  for  others.  Give 
thy  people  grace  to  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation 
wherewith  thou  hast  called  them,  that  they  may 
adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour  in  all 
things.  May  the  multitudes  who  are  living  with- 
out God  in  the  world  be  brot  ght  to  reverence 


136  HOME    WORSHIP. 

thee,  to  delight  in  thy  commandments,  to  seek 
thy  grace,  to  mourn  over  their  multiplied  trans- 
gressions, to  trust  all  their  interests  to  thee,  to 
cherish  thy  fear  and  to  love  thee  as  their  chief 
good. 

O  Lord,  our  souls  would  ascribe  the  praise  of 
every  mercy  and  blessing  to  thy  matchless  grace 
in  Jesus  our  Saviour  now  and  for  ever.  Amen. 


DUTIES  TO  MAN. 

O  LORD,  we  thank  thee  for  the  commandment 
to  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves,  and  for  the 
injunction  that  whatsoever  we  would  that  others 
should  do  unto  us  we  should  do  even  so  to 
them.  Write  these  laws  upon  our  hearts,  and 
give  us  wisdom  to  know  and  faithfulness  to  do 
all  our  duty  to  our  neighbor. 

Our  Father  in  heaven,  enable  us  to  meet  and 
discharge  all  the  duties  which  may  devolve  on  us 
in  the  various  relations  of  life.  As  superiors, 
make  us  kind,  forbearing  and  just,  ever  ready  to 
exert  the  influence  of  our  station  for  the  temporal 
and  eternal  welfare  of  those  whom  thou  hast  put 
below  us.  As  inferiors,  make  us  meek,  patient 
and  faithful,  with  good-will  doing  service,  yet 
not  unto  man  alone,  but  unto  the  Lord.  As 
equals,  let  the  law  of  brotherly  kindness  animate 


DUTIES   TO  MAN.  137 

our  hearts  and  move  our  lips  and  control  our 
actions. 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  taught  us  that  we  must  not 
only  not  spill  the  blood  of  our  neighbor,  but 
that  whosoever  is  angry  with  his  brother  with- 
out cause  is  in  danger  of  judgment.  Keep  us 
from  that  anger  which  is  heart-murder.  Let  no 
prejudice,  resentment  or  malice  be  nourished  in 
our  bosoms.  When  we  are  tempted  to  wish 
evil  or  to  do  evil  to  any  one,  change  our  feelings 
and  purposes  into  forbearance  and  good-will. 

Lord,  keep  us  from  thoughts  and  purposes  and 
deeds  of  dishonesty  toward  our  neighbor.  May 
all  his  rights  be  sacred  in  our  esteem.  Make  us 
honest  in  that  which  is  least  as  well  as  in  that 
which  is  greatest.  May  we  be  far  more  ready  to 
discharge  than  to  contract  debts,  and  may  we 
owe  no  man  anything  without  his  cheerful  con- 
sent. Oh,  preserve  us  from  the  vanity  and  im- 
piety of  covetousness,  and  graciously  give  us  such 
contentment  with  our  condition  in  life  as  will  make 
us  happy  with  what  we  possess  and  indifferent  to- 
ward what  thou  hast  denied  to  us. 

Let  the  good  name  of  our  fellows  ever  be 
precious  in  our  sight.  Let  us  never  disparage  it 
by  falsehood  nor  degrade  it  by  slander.  It  the 
ends  of  public  justice  or  self-defence  or  social  and 
individual  welfare  require  the  exposure  of  folly, 
error  or  iniquity,  may  we  discharge  our  duty  with- 
out malice  and  with  a  heart  of  pity  toward  the 


138  HOME    WORSHIP. 

offender.  And  do  thou,  moreover,  keep  ts  from 
exciting  ridicule  toward  any,  and  make  us  cau- 
tious of  those  censures  we  are  so  prone  to  cast 
on  the  common  follies  and  weaknesses  of  man- 
kind. May  we  do  for  the  reputation  of  others  as 
we  would  wish  others  to  do  for  our  own  good 
name. 

Make  us  lovers  of  truth  in  all  our  inter- 
course with  our  fellow-creatures.  Let  no  motive, 
either  of  amusement  or  gain  or  fear  or  favor  or 
plea  of  doing  good,  lead  us  to  practice  deceit. 
And  while  we  would  not  make,  suffer  us  not  to 
love,  a  lie,  or  regard  with  any  complacency  its 
apparent  advantages.  Oh,  may  sincerity  dwell 
in  our  souls  and  verity  have  its  image  in  our 
thoughts  and  truth  animate  our  tongues.  May 
our  hearts  be  set  on  thy  promise  that  the  lip  of 
truth  shall  be  established  for  ever. 

O  Lord,  if  we  suffer  wrong  from  any,  make  us 
ever  ready  to  forgive.  As  we  seek  from  thee 
forgiveness  for  our  trespasses,  may  we  forgive 
others  their  trespasses  against  us.  Though  our 
motives  be  aspersed,  our  characters  slandered, 
our  persons  injured  and  our  rights  violated,  may 
we  not  return  railing  for  railing  nor  injury  for 
injury,  but  rather  seek  to  bless  the  offender. 
Make  us  willing  under  every  trespass  to  say, 
"  Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge." 

Make  us  merciful  even  as  thou  art  merci- 
ful. Give  us  hearts  of  pity  for  the  poor,  the 


DUTIES   TO    OURSELVES.  139 

bereaved,  the  down-trodden,  the  sick,  and  for 
every  one  that  suffers  adversity.  May  we  be 
enabled  to  give  help  to  the  needy,  comfort 
to  the  sorrowful,  deliverance  to  the  oppressed, 
health  to  the  diseased,  and  the  ministry  of  good- 
ness to  every  form  of  affliction.  And  whatever 
we  do,  let  it  not  be  done  to  be  seen  of  men,  but 
of  our  Father  in  heaven,  who  will  reward  us 
openly. 

Give  us  earnest  desires  and  dispose  us  to 
make  diligent  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  spiritual 
interests  of  mankind.  May  the  cause  of  Zion 
be  near  and  dear  to  us  and  share  our  steadfast 
zeal.  May  we  love  all  her  members  and  seek 
diligently  her  strength,  wisdom  and  purity. 
O  Lord,  excite  our  deep  anxiety  for  those  who 
live  without  God  in  the  world.  May  their  folly 
excite  our  pity,  their  guilt  our  compassion  and 
their  danger  our  solicitude,  and  may  we  be  led  to 
seek  and  use  those  means  which  thou  wilt  bless 
for  the  conversion  of  many  sinners. 

Lord,  give  these  petitions  a  gracious  audience 
through  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  praise  shall  be 
ascribed  to  thee  for  ever.  Amen. 


DUTIES  TO  OURSELVES. 

O  THOU  that  hearest  prayer,  unto  thee  must  all 
flesh  come.     Whom  is  there  in  heaven  but  thee 


I4O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

to  whom  \ve  can  offer  worship  ?  and  on  earth 
whose  communion  can  we  desire  but  thine  ?  We 
come  in  the  worthy  name  of  Jesus  to  seek  wis- 
dom to  learn  and  strength  to  perform  all  the 
duties  we  owe  to  ourselves  in  relation  to  the 
lawful  things  of  earth  and  the  precious  interests 
of  eternity. 

O  Lord,  give  us  a  becoming  diligence  in  those 
avocations  of  life  which  we  have  undertaken. 
We  thank  thee  for  that  law  of  our  nature  by 
which  thou  hast  connected  the  industry  of  thy 
creatures  with  their  happiness  and  welfare.  Let 
all  our  employments  be  lawful  in  thy  sight.  Let 
us  not  be  slothful  in  business,  but  fervent  in  spirit ; 
and  whatsoever  our  hands  find  to  do  in  any 
useful  business,  may  we  do  it  with  our  might. 
Especially  in  religious  duties  make  us  fer- 
vent in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  May  we  give 
diligence  to  add  to  faith  virtue,  knowledge, 
temperance,  patience,  godliness,  brotherly  kind- 
ness and  charity.  Dispose  us  to  seek  thy 
kingdom  and  that  treasure  in  heaven  that  fail- 
eth  not. 

Great  God,  incline  us  to  seek  useful  knowledge. 
May  we  open  our  ears  to  wisdom  and  our  hearts  to 
understanding.  Oh,  let  not  the  noble  faculties 
of  memory  and  reason  thou  hast  given  us  be 
neglected  amid  the  treasures  of  wisdom  thou 
hast  put  within  our  reach.  And  oh,  do  thou 
give  us  that  true,  that  heavenly  wisdom  the 


DUTIES    TO    OURSELVES.  14! 

merchindise  of  which  is  better  than  silver  and 
its  gain  better  than  gold.  Length  of  days  is  in 
her  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  hand  riches  and 
honor.  Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and 
all  her  paths  are  peace.  She  is  a  tree  of  life  to 
all  them  that  lay  hold  of  her,  and  happy  is  every 
one  that  retaineth  her. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  thy  bounteous  provi- 
dence. The  eyes  of  all  are  unto  thee,  and  thou 
givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season.  Thou 
openest  thy  hand  and  satisfiest  the  desires  of 
every  living  thing.  Oh,  may  we  use  these  gifts 
as  not  abusing  them.  May  we  keep  the  body 
under  and  bring  it  into  subjection  to  reason  and 
piety.  Let  us  not  be  like  him  who  said  in  the 
pride  of  self-indulgence,  "  Soul,  thou  hast  much 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years  :  eat,  drink  and  be 
merry,"  to  whom  the  fearful  message  came : 
"  Thou  fool !  this  night  thy  soul  shall  be  required 
of  thee." 

Gracious  Lord,  enable  us  to  control  and  subdue 
the  evil  passions  of  our  nature — those  feelings  of 
covetousness  and  pride,  selfishness  and  anger, 
envy  and  revenge,  which,  while  they  are  the  in- 
struments of  evil  toward  others,  destroy  our  own 
peace,  injure  our  souls  and  put  our  immortal  in- 
terests in  jeopardy.  O  God,  help  us  to  keep  our 
hearts  with  diligence,  for  out  of  these  proceeds 
all  evil.  Lord,  search  us  and  try  us  and  see  if 
there  be  any  evil  way  in  us,  and  do  thou  restrain 


142  HOME    WORSHIP. 

it  and  conquer  our  unholy  propensities  and  lead 
us  in  the  way  everlasting. 

Heavenly  Father,  teach  us  that  godliness  which 
with  contentment  is  great  gain.  For  we  brought 
nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is  certain  we  can 
carry  nothing  out.  And  having  food  and  raiment, 
let  us  be  therewith  content.  May  we  be  careful 
for  nothing,  but  in  all  things,  by  prayer  and  sup- 
plication, make  known  our  requests  to  God.  May 
our  prayer  be  that  of  Agur :  "  Give  me  neither 
poverty  nor  riches."  Induce  us,  O  Lord,  to  seek 
our  portion  where  the  righteous  obtain  joy  and 
gladness,  and  where  murmuring  and  want  and 
sorrow  shall  flee  away  for  ever. 

Heavenly  Father,  give  us  habits  of  honest  and 
searching  self-examination,  that  we  may  know  all 
our  motives  and  prove  all  our  principles  and  try 
all  our  ways.  Let  not  pride  nor  self-love  nor 
indolence  hinder  us  from  an  impartial  estimate 
of  our  character.  Show  us  the  plague  of  our 
hearts,  the  sin  that  doth  so  easily  beset  us. 
Teach  us  all  our  errors,  weaknesses  and  sins. 
And  if  in  the  exercise  of  a  candid  judgment 
any  of  us  are  in  the  gall  of  bitterness,  or  have 
only  a  name  to  live,  while  we  are  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,  oh,  give  us  repentance  for  sin  and 
faith  in  an  atoning  Saviour,  that  so  the  bond  of 
our  iniquity  may  be  loosed  and  we  enjoy  peace 
of  conscience  through  the  blood  of  Christ.  And 


PASTOR,   ELDERS,   ETC.  143 

if  in  this  trial  of  the  heart  and  life  we  may  still 
judge  ourselves  to  be  in  the  faith,  though  our 
light  be  sometimes  clouded  and  our  faith  feeble 
and  our  hope  fickle,  still  may  we  be  confident  of 
this — that  thou  hast  begun  a  good  work  in  us 
which  thou  wilt  perform  until  the  day  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

O  Lord,  we  would  realize  in  all  these  duties  that 
our  strength  is  weakness,  our  wisdom  folly  and 
our  righteousness  filthy  rags.  Oh,  help,  instruct 
and  sanctify  us  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  to  whom, 
with  thee  and  the  Spirit,  shall  be  all  the  praise 
for  ever.  Amen. 


PASTOR,  ELDERS,  CHURCH  AND  CONGRE- 
GATION. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  hast  the  hearts  of  all  thy 
creatures  in  thy  power,  and  thou  canst  do  with 
them  and  for  them  as  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight 
We  come  before  thee  in  the  name  of  our  great 
Advocate  to  seek  thy  blessing  on  all  the  members 
of  the  community  with  whom  we  have  fellowship 
in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

Bless  our  pastor.  Supply  his  temporal  wants, 
so  that  he  shall  be  above  the  perplexing  cares 
of  earth.  Give  him  vigorous  health  that  he 


144  HOME    WORSHIP. 

may  be  able  to  sustain  the  toils  of  his  arduous: 
commission.  Furnish  his  mind  abundantly  with 
the  treasures  of  knowledge  that  he  may  bring 
forth  things  new  and  old  wherewith  to  teach  this 
people.  Above  all,  do  thou  give  him  the  unction 
of  thy  Spirit  that  thy  work  may  prosper  in  his 
hands.  As  thou  hast  set  him  an  ambassador  for 
Christ,  make  him  like  his  Master  in  knowledge, 
holiness  and  zeal.  Let  him  not  be  compelled  to 
say,  "  All  day  long  have  I  stretched  forth  my 
hands  to  a  gainsaying  people,"  but  may  his 
preaching  be  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and 
of  power,  putting  to  silence  the  ignorance  of 
foolish  men,  diffusing  abroad  the  wholesome  in- 
fluences of  morality,  bringing  sinners  from  dark- 
ness unto  light,  and  building  this  church  up  in 
holiness  and  comfort  through  faith  unto  sal- 
vation. 

Bless  the  eldership  of  this  church.  Let  it  not 
be  a  merely  nominal  office,  but  may  those  who 
hold  it  learn  their  duties  and  discharge  them  re- 
sponsibly to  the  church  and  to  God.  May  they 
so  act  that  no  impeachment  of  dishonesty,  world- 
ly-mindedness,  lukewarmness,  backsliding  or  hy- 
pocrisy may  with  any  justice  lie  against  them. 
Make  them  examples  of  good  works  to  the 
church  over  which  they  are  placed,  and  epistles 
of  godliness  known  and  read  of  the  whole  com- 
munity. Let  faith  abide  in  their  hearts  and  love 
upon  their  lips  and  good  fruits  in  their  lives,  and 


PASTOR,  ELDERS,  ETC.  145 

let  their  reward  be  with  those  that  shine  as  the 
brightness  of  the  firmament  and  as  the  stars  for 
ever  and  ever. 

O  Lord,  bless  the  church  with  which  we  are 
connected.  Thou  hast  planted  her  with  thine  own 
right  hand;  look  down,  therefore,  from  heaven, 
and  behold  and  visit  this  vine.  Thou  hast 
brought  her  out  of  darkness;  may  she  arise 
and  let  her  light  shine.  Thou  hast  set  her  as  a 
city  on  a  hill;  make  her  beautiful  in  the  moun- 
tain of  thy  holiness.  May  all  that  call  upon 
thy  name  be  careful  to  depart  from  all  iniquity. 
May  none  of  them  dishonor  themselves  before 
the  world  or  before  their  brethren  or  before 
God  by  anything  inconsistent  with  their  high 
and  solemn  obligations.  Make  them  zealous  of 
good  works,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord. 
May  they  have  in  all  things  and  at  all  times  the 
Spirit  of  Christ.  Oh,  let  not  the  gates  of  hell 
prevail  against  her ;  and  when  her  enemy  comes 
in  like  a  flood,  lift  up  a  standard  against  him. 
Revive  thy  work  in  her  midst,  give  her  beauty 
for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning  and  the 
garments  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness. 
Lord,  add  to  her  numbers  many — very  many — 
of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 

Lord,  bless  the  congregation  who  worship  with 
us  in  our  sanctuary.  Increase  greatly  their  num- 
ber. Let  not  thy  word  sown  among  them  be 

as  the  seed  that   fell   by  the   wayside,  nor  like 
10 


146  HOME    WORSHIP. 

that  which  fell  among  thorns,  nor  like  that  which 
fell  up:>n  stony  ground,  but  let  it  be  like  that 
which  fell  upon  good  ground  and  brought 
forth  some  thirty,  some  sixty  and  some  an  hun- 
dred fold.  Let  them  not  abuse  their  precious 
privileges,  lest  their  doom  be  that  of  the  servant 
who  knew  his  master's  will  and  did  it  not,  and 
was  beaten  with  many  stripes,  but  may  they  so 
profit  by  the  instructions  and  prayers  and  praises 
of  thy  house  that  their  souls  may  abound  with 
wisdom  and  their  thoughts  with  supplications 
and  their  speech  with  thanksgiving.  O  Lord, 
remember  in  mercy  the  aged  impenitent  among 
us,  and  let  their  hoary  heads  become  crowns  of 
glory,  being  yet  found  in  the  ways  of  righteous- 
ness. Regard  in  mercy  those  who  spend  the 
vigor  of  their  days  in  sin,  and  lead  them  to 
devote  their  strength  to  thee.  Visit  in  mercy 
the  young  who  are  wasting  the  dew  of  life  in 
foolish  and  sinful  pleasures,  and  induce  them  to 
remember  their  Creator  before  the  evil  days  come 
and  the  years  draw  nigh  in  the  which  they  shall 
say  they  have  no  pleasure  in  them.  Oh,  may 
thy  rich  and  abiding  blessing  overshadow  this 
people,  that  where  there  is  darkness  there  may 
be  light,  that  where  there  is  chaos  there  may  be 
order,  that  where  sin  hath  abounded  grace  may 
also  much  more  abound,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord,  unto  whom,  with  the  Father  and  Spirit, 
one  God,  be  endless  praises.  Amen. 


PLEASING   GOD.  147 

PLEASING  GOD. 

ALMIGHTY  GOD,  enable  us  to  worship  thee 
acceptably  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Let  us  not 
draw  nigh  unto  thee  with  a  lip-service  while  our 
hearts  are  far  from  thee.  Oh,  pardon  the  sins  of 
our  holy  services,  and  mingle  not  (as  thou  often 
mightest  justly)  our  blood  with  our  sacrifices,  but 
sprinkle  on  the  altar  of  our  offering  the  reconcil- 
ing blood  of  Jesus. 

Give  us  grace  to  do  those  things  which  are 
well-pleasing  in  thy  sight  We  cannot  indeed 
merit  thy  favor  by  any  work  of  faith  or  labor  of 
love,  yet  thou  hast  given  us  so  many  promises 
of  the  light  of  thy  countenance  on  the  condition 
of  our  obedience  to  thy  will  that  we  may  seek 
with  a  grateful  confidence  thy  favor  and  loving- 
kindness. 

Grant  us  that  faith  which  is  accepted  in  the 
Beloved.  Let  us  not  displease  thee  by  un- 
belief in  regard  to  thy  character  or  word  or 
work,  nor  by  looking  at  or  living  upon  the 
things  which  are  seen  and  temporal.  But  may 
we  adore  thy  perfections  and  rely  upon  thy  word 
and  trust  thee  in  all  thy  ways,  and  so  live  by 
faith  and  so  look  at  things  that  are  not  seen  and 
that  are  eternal  that  we  may  enjoy  day  by  day 
the  joys  of  thy  complacency. 

We  bless  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  waitest  to  be 
gracious  to  those  who  call  on  thee  in  prayer. 


148  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Oh,  may  we  realize  the  fullness  of  thy  grace  in 
rewarding  those  that  diligently  seek  thee.  We 
thank  thee  for  all  thy  forbearance  toward  us  in 
our  neglect  and  abuse  of  prayer.  Alas !  we 
have  often  lived  as  though  we  were  the  proprie- 
tors of  life  and  all  its  blessings,  and  often  when 
we  have  professed  to  seek  thee  it  has  been  with 
corrupted  or  wandering  or  averted  thoughts. 
Oh,  henceforth  let  us  have  grace  whereby  we 
may  worship  thee  in  truth,  so  asking  that  we 
shall  receive,  so  seeking  that  we  shall  find,  so 
knocking  that  it  shall  be  opened  unto  us. 

Enable  us,  Heavenly  Father,  to  order  our 
thoughts  and  feelings  according  to  thy  holy 
pleasure.  Help  us  to  keep  our  hearts  with  all 
diligence.  Let  no  sentiment  be  cherished  there 
which  is  inconsistent  with  the  love  we  owe  to  thee 
and  our  neighbor.  Cleanse  us  from  secret  faults, 
purge  us  from  indwelling  sins,  make  us  temples 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  May  our  desires  be  contin- 
ually unto  thee  and  the  remembrance  of  thy  name, 
and  our  affections  go  forth  freely  and  steadfastly 
toward  all  thy  creatures. 

Lord,  grant  us  that  ornament  of  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit  which  in  thy  sight  is  of  great 
price-.  May  we  walk  humbly  before  thee,  remem- 
bering our  unworthiness  and  ill-desert,  and  re- 
garding it  as  a  great  mercy  that  our  unprofitable 
lives  have  been  spared  and  that  we  are  still  per- 
mitted to  seek  thy  face.  Keep  us  from  anger 


PLEASING   GOD.  149 

and  resentment  toward  our  fellow-creatures. 
Thou  hast  taught  us  that  he  who  ruleth  his 
spirit  is  greater  than  he  that  taketh  a  city,  and 
that  if  we  forgive  not  others  their  trespasses  thou 
wilt  not  forgive  us  our  trespasses.  The  preroga- 
tives of  vengeance,  O  Lord,  are  thine.  Give  us. 
therefore,  patience  under  provocation,  meekness 
under  injury,  and  good-will  under  revenge.  Oh, 
grant  that  we  may  ever  seek  the  blessing  of  the 
meek,  whom  thou  guidest  in  judgment  and  makest 
the  dwelling-place  of  thy  mercy. 

Give  us  grace,  O  Lord,  that  our  daily  deport- 
ment may  be  well  pleasing  in  thy  sight.  In  the 
duties  of  the  family,  in  the  intercourse  of  society, 
in  the  business  of  life,  in  all  our  works  and  ways, 
may  we  act  under  the  consciousness  that  thine 
eye  is  upon  us  and  that  we  are  responsible  to 
thee ;  that  if  we  demean  ourselves  unworthily 
thy  condemnation  will  rest  upon  us,  while  if 
we  do  thy  will  thou  wilt  smile  upon  us  and 
bless  us. 

Lord,  incline  us  to  do  good  and  communicate, 
for  with  such  sacrifice  thou  art  well  pleased.  As 
we  have  opportunity  may  we  do  good  to  all  men, 
especially  to  those  that  are  of  the  household  of 
faith.  Thou  hast  taught  us  that  even  a  cup  of 
cold  water  given  to  a  disciple  shall  not  lose  its 
reward ;  may  we  seek,  therefore,  to  bless  thy 
chosen  ones  with  every  benefaction  in  our  power 
to  bestow ;  and  as  thou  makest  the  sun  to  rise 


150  HOME    WORSHIP, 

on  the  evil  and  sendest  rain  on  the  unjust,  make 
us  merciful  to  such  even  as  thou  art  merciful. 

O  Lord,  we  look  humbly  to  thee  in  the  name 
of  Christ  for  the  enjoyment  in  this  world  of  thy 
favor,  which  is  life,  and  in  the  world  to  come 
for  that  recompense  of  reward  which  thou  wilt 
bestow  with  the  plaudit,  "  Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant !  Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord."  Amen. 


MORNING. 

0  THOU   that   makest  the   outgoings   of   the 
morning  to  rejoice,  suffer  us,  who  are  unworthy 
of  an   audience   with   thy   majesty,  to   come   to 
thy  footstool  and  with    thankful    and    dependent 
hearts  to  praise   thy  mercy   and    supplicate    thy 
favor. 

We  bless  thee  for  the  repose  of  the  night 
through  which  we  have  just  passed.  To  many 
it  has  been  a  season  of  watching  and  fear  and  pain 

1  danger  and  death.     We  thank  thee  that  we 
have  been  kept  from  these  trials,  and  we  pray  that 
this   exemption    may  be   continued,  so  that  our 
nights  may  be  times  of  refreshing  rest  and  our 
mornings    seasons    of    unalloyed    thanksgiving. 
But  if  at   any  time  thy  will   be    otherwise,  give 
us    grace   to    say  with  sincerity,  "  We    have    re- 


MORNING.  151 

ceived  good  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  shall 
we  not  receive  evil  ?" 

Lord,  speak  peace  to  our  hearts  now  in  the 
morning  of  this  day,  and  let  the  light  of  thy 
countenance  be  lifted  upon  us,  filling  our  spirits 
with  gladness.  Ere  the  cares  of  business  and  the 
pleasures  of  life  crowd  themselves  into  our  hearts, 
take  possession  of  our  souls  and  reign  there 
throughout  the  day  without  a  rival.  Oh,  may 
we  enjoy  in  all  its  hours  the  assurance  of  thy 
love  and  be  governed  continually  by  thy  Spirit. 

Gracious  God,  we  humbly  ask  thee,  for  Christ's 
sake,  for  thy  protection  this  day.  We  thank  thee 
that  thy  care  has  been  round  about  us  in  days 
past,  sheltering  us  from  dangers  seen  and  unseen ; 
otherwise  we  would  long  ago  have  been  the  vic- 
tims of  disaster  and  death.  Oh,  it  is  in  thee  we 
live  ;  and  if  thou  shouldst  suspend  for  a  moment 
thy  care,  we  would  perish  at  once.  Ever  give  us, 
we  pray  thee,  a  strong  sense  of  our  dependence 
on  thee  for  protection  from  surrounding  evil. 
And  this  day  may  we  realize  that  we  need  from 
moment  to  moment  thy  watchful  eye  and  pre- 
serving hand.  Shelter  us,  O  Lord,  from  every 
form  of  afflicting  accident.  Keep  us  from  every 
attack  of  sickness.  Preserve  us,  we  pray  thee, 
from  sudden  death,  to  which,  while  we  are  insensi- 
ble to  its  danger,  we  are  continually  exposed.  Yet 
if  it  be  thy  will  to  permit  any  of  these  evils,  give 
us  that  patient  submission  and  faithful  trust  in 


152  HOME    WORSHIP. 

thee  which  will  be  worth  more  to  us  than  bodily 
comfort  or  life  itself. 

Guide  us  by  thy  counsel  in  all  the  duties 
and  pleasures  of  this  day.  O  Lord,  while  our 
hearts  devise  our  ways,  may  we  do  so  in  reliance 
on  thee  to  direct  our  steps.  We  thank  thee  for 
thy  directing  wisdom  in  times  past.  All  our 
errors  have  been  the  fruits  of  our  own  folly,  and 
whenever  we  acted  wisely  it  was  because  thou 
didst  lead  us.  We  acknowledge  we  are  not  wor- 
thy of  the  boon  we  ask  when  we  implore  thee 
to  direct  us  this  day  by  thy  counsel,  yet  we  have 
been  assured  that  if  any  man  lack  wisdom  and 
ask  it  of  thee  it  shall  be  granted,  and  we  know 
that  without  thy  counsel  we  will  wander  in  the 
paths  of  folly  and  sin.  Lord,  instruct  us,  there- 
fore, what  thou  wilt  have  us  to  do,  and  let  thy 
Spirit  help  our  infirmities,  so  that  we  may  choose 
aright  and  act  aright  all  the  day  long.  And 
when  we  come  to  its  close,  may  we  be  able  to  look 
back  on  it  as  a  period  of  peculiar  exemption 
from  those  errors  and  transgressions  into  which 
our  corrupt  natures  are  so  prone  to  lead  us. 

Lord,  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  The 
eyes  of  all  are  unto  thee,  and  thou  givest  them 
their  meat  in  due  season  ;  thou  openest  thy  hand 
and  satisfiest  the  desires  of  every  living  thing. 
We  have  been  pensioners  on  thy  bounty  all  our 
days,  and  yet  we  have  been  for  the  most  part 
unmindful  of  thee,  the  Giver  of  every  good  and 


MORNING.  I  5  5 

perfect  gift.  O  Lord,  forgive  in  thy  mercy  all 
our  forgetfulness  and  ingratitude  toward  thee. 
Let  not  our  past  neglect  and  transgression  work 
a  forfeiture  of  thy  bounty  henceforth.  Again  we 
supplicate  thee  to  supply  the  wants  of  this  day 
from  the  stores  of  thy  fullness.  And  grant  us 
from  day  to  day  a  competent  portion  of  the  good 
things  of  this  life  and  let  us  enjoy  thy  blessing 
with  them.  But  let  us  not  be  anxious  what  we 
shall  eat  or  drink,  nor  wherewithal  we  shall  be 
clothed,  but  incline  us  first  to  seek  thy  kingdom, 
and  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  us. 

Now,  Lord,  the  blessing  we  ask  for  ourselves 
we  seek  on  behalf  of  mankind.  Let  thy  pro- 
tecting care  be  over  the  children  of  men  every- 
where. Let  thy  controlling  wisdom  direct  all 
their  ways  and  let  thy  providing  bounty  supply 
all  their  wants.  Oh,  glorify  thy  mercy  in  the 
welfare  of  all  thy  creatures. 

O  Lord,  give  us  a  state  of  preparation  for  that 
great  day  for  which  all  other  days  were  made, 
and  grant  that  then  we  may  be  openly  acknow- 
ledged and  acquitted  and  made  perfectly  blessed 
in  the  full  enjoyment  of  God  to  all  eternity. 
Amen. 


MORNIXG. 

LORD,  thou    art  our   God ;  early  will  we  seek 
thee.      Every  blessing  we    have    ever    enjoyed 


154  HOME    WORSHIP. 

came  from  thee,  and  thou  art  the  Source  from 
whom  we  must  derive  all  future  good.  It  be- 
comes us,  therefore,  to  present  ourselves  with 
thanksgivings  and  supplications,  and  to  withhold 
these  sacrifices  from  this  altar  would  be  to  forget 
and  deny  thee,  our  gracious  Benefactor. 

Amid  the  multitude  of  thy  favors  we  would 
remember  the  blessings  of  the  past  night,  in 
which  thou  hast  kept  us  from  alarming  disaster 
and  distressing  sickness  and  sudden  death,  and 
in  which  we  have  enjoyed  refreshing  repose,  so 
that  our  bodies  and  spirits  have  been  recruited 
and  prepared  for  the  duties  of  this  day. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  we  supplicate  thee  for  the 
light  of  thy  countenance.  As  thou  art  cheering 
the  earth  and  all  thy  works  in  it  with  the  return- 
ing light  of  day,  do  thou  refresh  and  revive  us 
with  the  beams  of  thy  love,  chasing  away  dark- 
ness from  our  minds  and  sorrow  from  our  hearts 
and  sin  from  our  souls. 

Lord,  qualify  us  for  our  duties  this  day.  Whether 
they  be  discharged  in  private  or  in  the  family  or 
in  society  or  before  the  public,  let  our  responsi- 
bility to  thee  ever  rest  upon  our  minds.  Thou 
art  our  Lawgiver  and  our  Judge  ;  let,  us  therefore 
not  break  thy  precepts  nor  ir  cur  thy  displeasure. 
Give  us  this  day  some  seasons  of  leisure  which 
we  may  spend  in  humble  prayer  and  useful 
thought  and  profitable  reading,  that  thus  our 
hearts  may  be  made  holier  and  our  spirits  wiser 


AlORWING.  I  5  : 

and  our  souls  happier,  and  our  whole  nature  better 
qualified  for  the  high  and  blessed  purposes  for 
which  thou  hast  made  us. 

Grant  that  our  deportment  in  the  household 
this  day  may  be  right  in  thy  sight.  Enable 
us  to  perform  the  duties  which  belong  to  us  in 
our  several  relations  as  superiors,  inferiors  or 
equals.  May  mutual  kindness,  forbearance  and 
assistance  mark  all  our  intercourse.  Let  peace 
and  friendship  abide  among  us,  abating  every 
occasion  for  offence  and  injury  and  promoting 
every  opportunity  of  good- will  and  kindness.  Es- 
pecially let  our  intercourse  this  day  promote  the 
influences  of  piety  in  our  hearts,  that  we  may  be 
a  household  of  faith,  rejoicing  in  thee  as  our 
heavenly  Father. 

Bless  us  in  our  social  relations  this  day. 
We  thank  thee  for  that  intercourse  with  our  fel- 
low-creatures by  which  we  are  taught  our  com- 
mon nature  and  our  mutual  dependence.  May 
we  ever  use  it  for  the  exercise  of  sympathy  and 
benefit,  and  never  abuse  it  by  selfishness  and 
unkindness.  As  far  as  possible  may  we  live 
peaceably  with  all  into  whose  society  we  are 
thrown,  promoting  their  interests  and  striving  to 
commend  our  consciences  to  them  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord. 

Direct  us,  O  Lord,  in  the  business  of  this  day. 
Let  all  our  employments  be  lawful  in  thy  sight 
and  be  pursued  in  honesty.  Keep  us  from  envy, 


156  HOME    WORSHIP. 

jealousy,  anger  and  collision  with  mankind. 
Enable  us  in  the  widest  sense  to  render  to  all 
their  dues,  and  to  do  to  them  as  we  would  they 
should  do  to  us.  May  we  continually  seek  thy 
blessing  upon  our  employments,  submitting  with 
patience  to  every  disappointment  and  giving 
thanks  for  every  occasion  of  success. 

Lord,  make  us  thoughtful  about  our  precarious 
tenure  of  life.  We  know  not  what  a  day  may 
bring  forth.  The  end  of  our  day  of  probation 
may  soon  come  and  the  night  of  death  draw 
nigh,  when  the  account  of  our  stewardship  will  be 
sealed  and  carried  to  the  great  day  of  audit.  Oh, 
grant  that  it  may  not  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night, 
but  may  it  find  us  watching  with  our  lamps 
trimmed  and  our  lights  burning,  and  we  wait- 
ing for  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

Gracious  God,  regard  in  mercy  our  fellow- 
creatures  of  every  condition.  May  they  all  be 
fed  from  the  stores  of  thine  infinite  fullness  and 
enjoy  every  needful  temporal  mercy.  And  oh, 
may  the  better  benefits  of  thy  grace  be  diffused 
everywhere,  that  this  day  may  have  its  seals  of 
blessings  in  the  righteous  being  made  to  enjoy 
thy  justifying,  adopting  and  sanctifying  love,  and 
in  the  ungodly  turning  from  darkness  unto  light 
and  from  the  dominion  of  Satan  unto  the  service 
of  the  living  God. 

O  Lord,  remember  and  bless  us  this  day. 
Guide  us  by  thy  wisdom,  shelter  us  by  thy  power, 


NIGHT.  157 

supply  us  by  thy  bounty,  and  make  us  meet  for 
that  inheritance  where  there  shall  be  no  more 
night,  where  the  righteous  shall  shine  forth  as 
the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father. 

We  invoke   all  these   mercies  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  our  Saviour  and  Mediator.     Amen. 


NIGHT. 

LORD,  give  us  grace  now  at  the  close  of  this 
day  to  approach  thy  mercy-seat  and  find  accept- 
ance and  blessing  through  the  merits  and  inter- 
cession of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  thank 
thee  that  thou  hast  spared  our  unprofitable  lives 
and  hast  not  cut  us  down  as  cumberers  of  the 
ground,  but  hast  renewed  for  us  our  season  of 
probation  that  we  may  still  exercise  repentance 
for  transgression  and  seek  grace  that  our  future 
life  may  better  conform  to  thy  holy  will. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  mercies  of  this 
day — for  cheering  light,  for  abundant  food,  for 
convenient  raiment,  for  social  pleasures,  for  useful 
duties,  for  profitable  meditation  and  for  seasons 
of  prayer.  We  would  remember  also  with 
thanksgiving  thy  protection  and  guidance  this 
day,  by  which  we  have  been  sheltered  from 
harm  and  directed  in  the  paths  of  life.  Oh  how 
precious  are  thy  thoughts  unto  us,  O  God !  how 


158  HOME    WORSHIP. 

great  is  the  sum  of  them  !  If  we  should  count 
them,  they  are  more  in  number  than  the  sand. 

Yet,  O  Lord,  we  must  ever  mourn  before  thee 
that  whilst  thou  hast  been  loading  us  with  bene- 
fits we  have  forgotten  in  the  enjoyment  of  them 
thy  dispensing  hand.  Lo !  the  ox  knoweth  his 
owner  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib,  but  we 
do  not  know,  we  do  not  consider.  If  we  had 
committed  no  other  sin  but  that  of  thoughtless 
ingratitude,  it  would  be  more  than  enough  to  con- 
demn us.  Oh,  forgive  in  the  greatness  of  thy 
compassion  this  wickedness,  and  henceforth  let 
our  hearts  recognize  thy  hand  in  every  good,  and 
our  lips  acknowledge  it  with  sincere  thanks- 
giving. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  humbly  ask  thy  protection 
during  the  silence  of  the  night.  Cover  our  de- 
fenceless bodies  with  the  shadow  of  thy  wing, 
that  accident  and  pain  and  sickness  and  death 
may  not  come  nigh  us.  May  our  sleep  be  un- 
disturbed and  refreshing  that  our  wearied  natures 
may  be  invigorated  and  fully  prepared  for  the 
duties  of  the  coming  day.  Yet  if  in  any  of  these 
thy  will  be  otherwise,  prepare  us  for  it.  Thy 
protecting  goodness  to  us  in  nights  past  has  been 
infinitely  beyond  our  deserts — nay,  we  have  de- 
served judgment  instead  of  mercy  and  thou  hast 
a  sovereign  right  to  change  at  any  time  thy  dis- 
pensations of  kindness  toward  us.  Oh,  give  us 
grace  through  Jesus  Christ  to  say  from  the 


NIGHT.  159 

heart  in  2very  vicissitude  of  life,  "Thy  will  be 
done." 

Teach  is,  O  Lord,  to  look  on  the  season  of  night 
as  the  emblem  of  death.  As  thou  drawest  the 
curtains  of  darkness  over  the  scenes  of  the  day, 
so  thou  wilt  bring  the  dark  shadows  of  death 
over  the  light  of  life  to  each  of  us.  Oh.  let  the 
admonition  of  thy  word  appeal  with  power  to 
us,  "  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it 
with  thy  might,  for  there  is  no  work  nor  device 
nor  knowledge  nor  wisdom  in  the  grave  whither 
thou  goesL"  Make  us,  therefore,  ever  thought- 
ful of  death  and  its  issues  when  we  seek  the 
repose  of  our  beds.  Prepare  us  for  the  mandate 
of  the  King  of  Terrors,  so  that  if  we  die  we  may 
awake  to  newness  of  life  where  there  shall  be  no 
night — where  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light 
of  the  sun,  for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light 
and  they  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

Heavenly  Father,  grant  the  blessings  of  rest 
and  protection  to  our  fellow-creatures.  Refresh 
every  fatigued  body  and  soothe  every  wearied 
mind.  May  thine  unslumbering  eye  watch  over 
them  and  thine  unwearying  hand  avert  evil  from 
them.  Or  whenever  thou  hast  calamities  in  store, 
prepare  those  who  shall  suffer  them,  that  their 
afflictions  may  work  out  for  them  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Let  thy  favor,  O  God,  abide  this  night  upon 
our  relations  and  friends,  especially  upon  those 


l6o  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  them  who  are  separated  from  us,  and  for  whom 
in  their  distance  we  can  do  nothing  but  pray. 
Keep  them  in  safety,  and  do  more  and  better  for 
them  in  all  their  precious  interests  than  we  are 
worthy  to  ask. 

Gracious  Lord,  we  now  commend  ourselves 
fully  and  unreservedly  to  thee.  If  it  be  con- 
sistent with  thy  pleasure,  grant  us  the  temporal 
blessings  we  ask,  but  if  not  may  our  hearts  never 
falter  from  the  conviction  that  thou  doest  all 
things  well.  But,  O  Lord,  bestow  on  us  those 
spiritual  favors  which  it  is  our  duty  and  privilege 
to  seek  with  unfailing  confidence  at  thy  hands, 
and  which  we  are  assured  we  will  receive  unless 
we  ask  amiss. 

Graciously  pardon  all  our  sins  and  accept  us 
in  Jesus  our  Saviour.  Amen. 


THOUGHTS,  WORDS  AND  ACTIONS. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  art  the  Source  of  wisdom  to 
direct  and  strength  to  perform  and  grace  to  sanc- 
tify. Oh  how  blessed  is  our  privilege  to  go  to 
thee  in  all  our  wants  with  the  assurance  that  thou 
art  the  Rewarder  of  all  that  diligently  seek  thee ! 
Fulfill  unto  us,  we  beseech  thee,  thy  promise  that 
where  two  or  three  are  met  in  Christ's  name 
thou  wilt  be  with  them  ;  and  thy  saving  pres- 
ence is  our  richest  blessing. 


THOUGHTS,    WORDS  AND  ACTIONS.        l6l 

Lord,  grant  us  wisdom  and  strength  and  grace 
to  keep  our  hearts  with  diligence,  for  out  of  them 
are  the  issues  of  life.  By  nature  they  are  de- 
ceitful above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked, 
and  often  we  are  constrained  to  cry,  "  Who  can 
bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  this  unclean  ?"  Thou 
knowest  how  prone  our  thoughts  are  to  pride 
and  vanity  and  selfishness  and  resentment,  and 
how  thoughtless  we  are  of  our  obligations  to 
thee  and  our  duties  to  mankind.  Oh,  it  be- 
comes us  to  confess  the  depravity  of  our  na- 
tures ;  for  if  we  should  think  or  say,  "  We  have 
no  sin,"  we  would  only  deceive  ourselves  and 
prove  that  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  And,  blessed 
be  thy  name !  thou  hast  told  us  that  if  we  con- 
fess our  sins  thou  art  faithful  and  just  to  for- 
give them  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteous- 
ness. O  God,  forgive,  for  Christ's  sake,  the  sins 
of  our  hearts,  and  send  thy  Spirit  into  the  hidden 
chambers  of  our  souls  to  purify  us,  that  our 
thoughts  may  be  brought  into  captivity  to  the 
obedience  of  Christ.  And,  O  God,  we  rejoice  in 
the  glorious  truth  that  thou  hast  the  hearts  of  all 
in  thy  hands  and  canst  turn  them  as  the  rivers. 
Give  glory  to  thy  power  and  mercy  in  turning 
"he  thoughts  of  the  ungodly,  who  throng  the 
iarth,  unto  the  wisdom  of  the  just,  that  their  sel- 
fishness toward  man  and  their  enmity  toward 
thee  may  give  place  to  good-will  to  mankind 
ind  love  to  God. 
11 


1 62  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Grant  us,  O  Lord,  wisdom,  strength  and  grace  to 
govern  our  tongues.  We  thank  thee  for  the  gift 
of  speech,  which  thou  hast  given  us  for  pleasant 
and  profitable  communion  with  our  fellow-crea- 
tures, and  by  which  we  may  praise  thy  holy  name. 
But  oh  how  often  and  how  long  and  how  much 
we  have  abused  its  noble  powers  !  Set  a  watch, 
O  God,  before  our  mouths  and  keep  the  door  of 
our  lips.  Let  this  fountain  send  forth  sweet 
water,  and  not  bitter.  Keep  our  tongues  from 
evil  and  our  lips  from  speaking  guile.  Put  away 
from  us  all  bitterness  and  evil-speaking  and  let 
no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out  of  our 
mouths,  but  that  which  is  good  to  the  use  of 
edifying,  that  it  may  minister  grace  to  the  hearers. 
And  while  we  would  seek  to  bless  mankind  by 
words  fitly  spoken,  dispose  and  enable  us  to 
glorify  thee  our  God  with  our  lips.  In  the  song 
of  praise,  in  the  utterance  of  prayer,  in  the  words 
of  instruction,  let  our  voice  render  thee  a  full  and 
hearty  tribute  of  honor.  And,  Lord,  we  pray 
thee  that  all  may  beware  lest  the  tongue  become 
an  unruly  member,  a  world  of  iniquity  and  full 
of  poison,  setting  on  fire  the  course  of  nature, 
itself  set  on  fire  of  hell.  Instead  of  these  fear- 
ful evils,  may  it  bring  forth  good  things  out  of 
the  good  treasure  of  the  heart,  blessing  man 
and  praising  God. 

We  beseech  thee  to  give  us  wisdom,  strength 
and  grace  to  do  thy  holy  will  in  all  our  outward 


THOUGHTS,   WORDS  AND  ACTIONS.         163 

lives.  Oh,  may  all  our  actions  be  right  in  thy 
sight,  and  such  as  shall  commend  themselves  to 
the  righteous  judgment  of  our  fellow-men,  and 
such  as  shall  be  approved  by  our  own  consciences. 
Yet  oh  how  imperfect  is  all  human  obedience! 
There  is  not  a  just  man  on  earth  that  doeth  good 
and  sinneth  not.  Even  when  we  best  fulfill  thy  will 
we  are  unprofitable  servants,  and  we  shall  never 
be  accepted  in  thy  sight  for  our  own  merits,  but 
through  thy  grace  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. 
Lord,  suffer  us  not  to  neglect  nor  abuse  our 
privileges,  nor  to  commit  any  trespass  on  the 
rights  of  our  neighbor;  not  to  do  an}-thing  to 
bring  shame  on  ourselves  or  dishonor  on  thy 
cause.  And  let  us  not  be  content  with  avoiding 
everything  that  is  displeasing  to  thee,  but  may 
we  strive  to  do  all  that  is  well-pleasing  in  thy 
sight.  Make  us  zealous  of  good  works,  relieving 
the  wants  of  the  needy,  ministering  comfort  to 
the  afflicted,  promoting  the  interests  of  morality 
and  religion,  and  doing  good  whenever  we  have 
opportunity.  And,  O  Lord,  bring  the  actions 
of  all  men  into  conformity  to  thy  will.  May 
conscience  and  thy  word  and  Spirit  restrain  the 
wicked  from  transgression  and  bring  them  in 
penitence  to  the  Saviour  for  pardon.  And  let  the 
multitudes  who  now  seek  their  own  selfish  pleas- 
ures regardless  of  thy  precepts  be  found  in  those 
ways  which  only  are  pleasantness,  and  in  those 
paths  in  which  alone  is  peace. 


164  HOME   WORSHIP. 

Lord,    give   these   petitions  gracious    ai  dience 
through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


RE  VIVAL. 

BLESSED  GOD,  revive  thy  work  ;  in  the  midst 
of  the  years  make  known  ;  in  wrath  remember 
mercy.  Let  not  thy  heritage  lie  in  bondage  to 
sloth  or  sin,  nor  the  ungodly  go  down  to  death 
without  the  strong  and  special  and  redeeming 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Let  thy  work  ap- 
pear unto  thy  servants  and  thy  glory  unto  their 
children,  and  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  God  be 
upon  us.  Make  the  wilderness  like  Eden  and 
the  desert  like  the  garden  of  the  Lord  ;  let  joy 
and  gladness  be  found  therein,  with  thanksgiv- 
ing and  the  voice  of  melody. 

Great  God,  may  all  that  minister  in  holy  things 
be  indeed  preachers  of  righteousness  and  am- 
bassadors for  Christ.  Sanctify  tl  eir  motives  and 
inflame  their  zeal.  Give  them  wisdom  to  devise 
and  faithfulness  to  execute  such  efforts  as  shall 
promote  thy  glory  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  Let 
them  not  heal  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  thy 
people  slightly,  saying,  "  Peace  !  peace  !"  when 
there  i?  no  peace.  May  they  search  Jerusalem 
as  with  lighted  candles,  and  apply  the  truth  to 
all  th«  hearers  with  plainness,  fullness  and  pun- 


REVIVAL.  165 

gency.  Bless  the  word  of  their  mouth  and 
accompany  it  with  the  demonstration  of  thy 
Spirit. 

O  Lord,  if  need  be,  let  judgment  begin  at  thine 
own  house.  Take  away  the  hopes  of  those  who 
have  the  form  of  godliness  without  its  power. 
Convince  thy  people  of  sin  against  thee  and 
against  each  other  and  against  the  souls  of  the 
ungodly.  Bring  them  to  repentance  that  needeth 
not  to  be  repented  oC  Break  from  them  the  fet- 
ters with  which  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil 
have  encompassed  them.  Give  them  that  clear- 
ness and  strength  of  faith  by  which  they  shall 
learn  the  value  of  their  own  souls  and  the  worth 
of  the  souls  of  perishing  sinners  around  them. 

Heavenly  Father,  burden  the  hearts  of  thy 
people  with  earnest  desires  for  the  revival  of  pure 
and  undefined  religion.  May  they  present  fer- 
vent, importunate  and  believing  prayer  at  the 
throne  of  thy  grace  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion 
and  the  salvation  of  the  ungodly.  Oh,  fill  them 
with  thy  Spirit  and  cause  them  to  abound  in  love, 
real  and  holiness.  May  they  love  the  places 
where  supplication  is  wont  to  be  made  and  where 
souls  have  been  born  to  God.  Give  them  grace 
to  uphold  by  prayer  the  hands  of  thy  ministers 
whilst  thou  art  using  such  to  earn,-  forward  the 
triumphs  of  the  gospeL  Make  thy  people  willing 
to  adopt  and  sustain  those  measures  which  are 
agreeable  to  thy  will,  and  which  receive  the  abid- 


1 66  HOME    WORSHIP. 

ing  sanction  of  thy  Spirit.  Lord,  cast  up  and 
remove  every  stumbling-block  out  of  the  ways 
of  Zion.  Give  thy  servants  unity  of  feeling  and 
action,  and  lead  them  to  act  in  the  faith  of  thy 
word  wherein  thou  hast  said  that  if  two  shall 
agree  on  earth  as  touching  anything  they  shall 
ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  our  Father  in 
heaven.  Oh,  let  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  our 
God  be  upon  them  and  establish  the  work  of 
their  hands  upon  them — yea,  the  work  of  their 
hands,  establish  thou  it. 

O  Most  High,  visit  with  convincing  and  con- 
verting power  the  consciences  of  sinners.  Bring 
them  within  the  reach  of  the  preached  gospel  and 
the  hearing  of  fervent,  effectual  prayer.  May  thy 
Spirit  set  home  to  their  hearts  the  truth  which  is 
able  to  make  them  wise  to  salvation.  Make  them 
feel  deeply  that  they  are  guilty  before  thee,  and 
that,  instead  of  having  the  offer  of  salvation,  thy 
righteous  retribution  would  blast  them  in  ever- 
lasting death.  Oh,  may  they  cherish  the  in- 
fluences of  the  Holy  Ghost  within  them,  and 
fear  lest  he  give  them  up  to  blindness  of  mind 
and  hardness  of  heart.  Let  that  godly  sorrow 
which  worketh  life  possess  every  feeling  of  their 
souls.  Show  them  that  now  is  the  accepted  time 
and  this  the  day  of  salvation.  Give  them  clear 
and  convincing  and  persuading  views  of  Christ  as 
the  only  and  all-sufficient  and  infinitely  willing 
Saviour.  O  God,  grant,  we  pray  thee,  for  the 


Axi  VIVAL.  167 

sake  of  thy  well-beloved  Son,  that  now,  whilst 
thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious,  they  may  re- 
nounce their  iniquities,  receive  Christ  as  he  is 
freely  offered  in  the  gospel,  and  give  themselves 
to  thee  in  a  covenant  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Lord  of  hosts,  make  the  fruits  of  revivals 
glorious  in  the  history  of  thy  Church.  May  con- 
verts to  righteousness  be  for  multitude  as  the 
drops  of  dew  in  the  morning.  May  they  be 
distinguished  for  consistent  piety  and  holy  zeal, 
and  be  honored  instruments  in  multiplying  the 
trophies  of  redeeming  grace,  until  the  Lord  shall 
have  made  bare  his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of  all 
the  nations  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 
have  seen  the  salvation  of  our  God. 

And  unto  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Spirit 
shall  be  all  the  praise  in  earth  and  heaven,  now, 
henceforth  and  for  ever.  Amen. 


REVIVAL. 

LORD,  let  thy  kingdom  come  and  thy  will  be 
done  on  earth  as  it  is  done  in  heaven.  We  thank 
thee  that  thou  hast  shown  us  in  the  history  of 
thy  Church,  and  especially  by  reviving  thy  work 
in  the  hearts  of  thy  people  in  these  days  of  thine 
outpouring  Spirit,  that  thou  hast  taught  us  no 
vain  petition — to  say,  "  Thy  kingdom  come."  Oh, 


l6S  HOME    WORSHIP. 

that  we  could  prefer  it  with  that  feeling  of  its 
value  which  is  in  sympathy  with  thy  love  of 
souls,  and  that  faith  which  rests  on  thy  promise 
as  yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  art  turning  sin- 
ners to  righteousness.  Oh,  let  these  fruits  of 
the  gospel  be  the  wave-offering  of  the  future 
and  speedy  harvest.  Though  they  be  but  as  a 
handful  of  corn  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains, 
let  the  fruit  thereof  shake  like  Lebanon. 

Visit  with  thy  mercy  those  who  have  recent- 
ly indulged  the  hope  of  eternal  life.  Let  them 
not  be  satisfied  with  one  act  of  consecration  to 
thee,  but  may  they  make  a  daily,  an  hourly,  a 
continual,  dedication  of  their  bodies  and  spirits 
to  thee,  which  is  their  most  reasonable  service. 
Mercifully  chase  away  every  cloud  from  their 
minds  and  give  them  bright  and  strong  and 
abiding  hopes  in  thy  mercy.  May  they  feel  that 
though  they  are  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath, 
and  though  they  have  by  a  long  and  black  cata- 
logue of  sins  invoked  the  heaviest  penalties  of 
guilt,  yet  by  faith  in  the  blood  of  Christ  that 
storm  of  condemnation  which  hung  over  them 
so  long  has  passed  away,  and  now  in  the  clear 
heavens  the  Sun  of  righteousness  has  arisen 
upon  them  with  healing  in  his  wings.  O  Lord, 
may  Jesus  Christ  be  the  centre  and  sum  and  sub- 
stance of  all  their  hopes.  May  they  now  and 
henceforth  take  him  as  their  Teacher  to  show 


REVIVAL.  169 

them  by  his  word  and  Spirit  the  will  of  God  for 
their  salvation.  May  they  cordially  and  with  the 
whole  heart  receive  him  as  their  Priest,  who  hath 
once  offered  up  himself  a  sacrifice  to  satisfy  di- 
vine justice  and  to  reconcile  them  to  God.  and 
who  now  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  all 
who  come  unto  God  by  him.  May  they  acknow- 
ledge him  as  their  King  to  rule  in  their  hearts 
and  to  reign  over  them,  restraining  and  conquer- 
ing all  his  and  all  their  enemies.  May  they  fol- 
low his  blessed  example,  doing  good  as  they 
have  opportunity,  remembering  that  if  any  one 
have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ  he  is  none  of  his. 
Oh,  unite  them  by  a  living  faith  to  that  blessed 
Saviour  as  the  branch  is  united  to  the  vine,  bear- 
ing fruit,  and  build  them  up  on  the  foundation  of 
the  prophets  and  apostles,  Jesus  Christ  himself 
being  the  chief  Corner-stone,  in  whom  the  whole 
building,  fitly  framed,  groweth  unto  a  temple  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  Lord,  keep  them  from  error, 
teach  them  the  truth  and  guide  them  in  duty, 
and  let  their  light  go  forth  as  brightness  and 
their  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burneth. 

Lord,  we  plead  with  thee  in  behalf  of  those 
who  are  inquiring  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved. 
Give  them,  we  pray  thee,  an  adequate  view  of 
their  sins.  We  ask  thee  not  to  show  them  their 
sins  as  thou  seest  them — we  ask  thee  not  to 
show  them  even  as  angels  and  pure  spirits  see 
them — for  this  would  drive  them  to  madness 


l?0  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  despair,  but  we  do  ask  thee  to  show  them 
what  human  nature  will  bear,  how  they  have 
abused  mercies  and  despised  afflictions,  how  they 
have  scorned  privileges  and  slighted  instruction, 
how  they  have  neglected  thy  word  and  grieved 
thy  Spirit.  Oh,  if  they  could  remember  and  re- 
count all  their  transgressions,  their  tongues  would 
grow  weary  and  their  hearts  would  sicken  with 
the  recital.  Oh,  may  they  feel  in  view  of  their 
sins  how  justly  they  have  incurred  thy  wrath — 
how  heavy  is  the  penalty  due  to  their  transgres- 
sions ;  for  if  thou  shouldst  lay  judgment  to  the 
line  and  righteousness  to  the  plummet,  or  reckon 
with  them  for  one  in  a  thousand  of  their  iniqui- 
ties, they  must  be  for  ever  condemned.  Oh,  give 
them  grace  now  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come 
and  lay  hold  on  eternal  life.  Thou  hast  sent  thy 
Son  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  have 
everlasting  life,  and  he  is  now  offered  as  the  only 
name  by  which  they  can  be  saved,  and  as  One 
that  is  able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  all  that 
come  to  God  by  him.  We  pray  that  thy  Spirit 
may  now  help  them  to  exercise  that  act  of  faith 
by  which  they  shall  fully  receive  him  as  he  is 
offered  to  them  in  the  gospel ;  to  rely  on  him  for 
the  pardon  of  their  sins  ;  to  take  him  as  their 
Saviour  from  the  guilt  of  sin  ;  to  make  his  will 
their  will,  his  people  their  people,  his  kingdom 
their  kingdom,  his  glory  their  glory.  So  help 
them,  great  God,  in  Christ  Jesus.  Amen. 


REVIVAL.  I/I 

REVIVAL. 

O  LORD,  we  bless  thy  mercy  in  Jesus  that  thou 
art  still  waiting  to  be  gracious.  Neither  our  own 
sins  nor  the  sins  of  a  world  that  lieth  in  wick- 
edness have  sufficed  to  seal  up  the  fountains  of 
thy  mercy.  Oh,  thou  art  good  and  lovest  to  do 
good  ;  and  though  we  seek  the  evidences  of  thy 
temporal  goodness  continually  around  us,  yet 
thou  dost  infinitely  more  commend  thy  love  to 
us  in  this,  that  though  we  continually  offend 
thee  thou  art  still  waiting  to  be  gracious. 

We  desire  to  renew  our  supplications  before 
thee  in  behalf  of  those  who  are  living  without 
God  and  without  hope  in  the  world.  Oh,  we 
bless  thee  that  they  are  still  within  the  reach  of 
the  gospel,  and  we  pray  thee  that  this  present 
blessing  may  not  be  a  curse  by  their  neglect 
and  abuse  of  it,  but  that  it  may  be  a  savor  of 
life  unto  life. 

We  pray  that  thy  Spirit  may  commend  the 
truth  to  the  reason  of  sinners.  Show  them  that 
the  claim  thou  art  urging  upon  them  for  the  conse- 
cration of  their  bodies  and  spirits  to  thee  is  their 
most  reasonable  service.  Thou  hast  imbued  their 
natures  with  cravings  that  find  no  satisfaction 
short  of  thyself;  for  if  they  run  the  lound  of 
earthly  pleasure  and  explore  every  form  of  hu- 
man knowledge  and  fill  up  treasures  of  worldly 
wealth,  they  find  all  to  be  vanity  and  vexation 


\J2  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  spirit.  Show  them  that  he  only  is  happy  that 
findeth  the  wisdom  of  godliness,  whose  ways  are 
pleasantness  and  her  paths  peace. 

Lord,  pour  the  light  of  truth  into  the  con- 
sciences of  sinners.  Show  them  how  they  have 
worshiped  the  idols  of  their  own  hearts  and  re- 
jected God  from  ruling  over  them  ;  how  they 
have  treated  with  irreverence  or  profanity  thy 
holy  name  and  the  things  by  which  thou  makest 
thyself  known  ;  how  they  have  broken  thy  Sab- 
baths, sent  in  mercy  to  win  them  to  God  and 
heaven  ;  how  they  have  violated  filial  obligations 
and  cherished  malice  and  impurity,  and  sacrificed 
or  have  been  regardless  of  the  interest  of  others 
that  they  might  advance  their  own  ;  how  they 
have  (by  the  verdict  of  inspiration)  gone  astray 
from  birth,  speaking  lies,  and  instead  of  a  right 
and  charitable  spirit  toward  their  neighbor  and 
all  that  is  his,  they  have  courted  an  evil  covetous- 
ness.  Oh,  show  them  that  they  have  sinned  in 
thought,  word  and  deed  in  doing  what  thou  hast 
forbidden  and  neglecting  what  thou  hast  com- 
manded, and  against  light  and  love.  Oh  that 
their  slumbering  consciences  might  be  awakened 
and  quickened,  and  that  every  violated  law  might 
burn  there  as  a  living  coal  until  repentance,  deep 
repentance,  might  possess  their  souls  and  bring 
them  to  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world. 

O    God,   let   thy   truth    appeal    to   their   fears. 


REVIVAL.  173 

Show  them  that  thou  art  angry  with  the  wicked 
every  day,  that  even  now  sentence  rests  upon 
them,  for  he  that  believeth  not  is  condemned 
already,  while  they  are  from  hour  to  hour  treas- 
uring up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath,  for  thou 
hast  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die,  and  after 
death  the  judgment.  Oh,  how  shall  their  hand 
be  strong  and  their  hearts  endure  in  the  day 
when  thou  shalt  deal  with  them,  when  the  wrath 
of  God  shall  be  revealed  against  the  children  of 
disobedience,  and  they  shall  cry  to  the  mountains 
and  rocks  to  fall  upon  them  and  hide  them  from 
the  face  of  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne  and 
from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb  ?  O  God,  give  them 
now  a  fearful  looking-for  of  judgment  and  fiery 
indignation  which  shall  devour  thine  adversaries. 

But,  O  God,  we  pray  that  thy  truth  may  also 
appeal  to  their  hopes.  Thou  hast  presented  to 
them  the  sad  alternative  of  thy  vengeance  that 
they  might  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  and  lay 
hold  of  eternal  life.  Thou  hast  sent  thy  Son  to 
earth  to  die,  the  Just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might 
redeem  men  from  the  penalties  of  a  violated  law ; 
and  he  was  made  sin  for  us  that  we  might  be 
made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him,  and 
instead  of  being  heirs  of  perdition  might  be  made 
heirs  of  God  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ  in  that 
inheritance  which  is  incorruptible  and  undefiled 
and  that  fadeth  not  away. 

And  now,  O  God,  we  pray  that  thy  Spirit  may 


174  HOME    WORSHIP. 

so  carry  the  truth  to  the  reason  and  conscience 
and  fears  and  hopes  of  sinners  that  they  may 
now  strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate,  that  they 
may  now  repent  of  sin  and  now  believe  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  now  be  saved.  Oh,  let 
them  not  put  off  the  claims  of  God  and  their 
own  welfare  with  the  vain  hope  of  a  more  con- 
venient season,  lest  they  harden  their  hearts  and 
aggravate  thy  wrath,  and  at  last  take  up  the 
lamentation,  "The  harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is 
ended,  and  we  are  not  saved."  But  may  they  in 
this  accepted  time  and  this  day  of  salvation  find 
peace  in  believing  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

O  God,  let  thy  kingdom  come  in  the  hearts  of 
all  men,  and  thy  glorious  will  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  done  in  heaven,  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 


REVIVAL. 

O  THOU  that  nearest  prayer,  unto  thee  shall  all 
flesh  come.  We  desire  to  feel  that  to  thee  alone 
can  we  go  in  seasons  when  thou  art  displaying 
thy  power  and  mercy  in  quickening  thy  people 
into  new  and  increasing  diligence  in  Christian 
duties,  and  turning  sinners  from  darkness  unto 
light  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  the  ser- 
vice of  the  living  God.  We  bless  thee  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  for  these  works  of  might  and 


REVIVAL.  175 

grace,  and  supplicate  thee  to  increase  them  by 
new  trophies  among  those  who  still  refuse  the 
offers  of  mercy. 

Lord,  send  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  those 
who  make  the  pleasures  of  earth  their  chief  good, 
who  dig  out  for  their  thirst  broken  cisterns  which 
can  hold  no  water  and  strive  to  feed  the  cravings 
of  an  immortal  mind  with  the  bread  of  vanity. 
Oh,  show  them  that  these  cherished  pleasures 
perish  with  the  using,  and  that  though  they  may 
seem  fair  to  the  eye  while  they  pursue  them,  and 
sweet  to  the  taste  in  the  moment  of  enjoyment, 
yet  their  end  is  bitterness,  when  they  will  bite 
like  a  serpent  and  sting  like  an  adder.  Oh,  let 
thy  Spirit  lift  up  their  wishes  and  pursuits  to 
that  fullness  of  joy  which  is  in  thy  presence 
and  those  pleasures  which  are  at  thy  right  hand 
for  evermore. 

Lord,  send  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  those 
who  put  off  to  what  they  vainly  think  a  more 
convenient  season  the  things  which  belong  to 
their  everlasting  peace.  Let  them  not  grieve  thy 
Spirit  by  an  equivocation  so  unreasonable  and  so 
hopeless.  Teach  them  that  now  is  the  accepted 
time  and  this  the  day  of  salvation.  To-day,  if 
they  will  hear  thy  voice,  let  them  not  harden  their 
hearts.  Now  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious, 
while  every  postponement  of  duty  increases  their 
distance  from  thee  and  renders  their  return  more 
hopeless.  Oh,  may  thy  Spirit  beget  in  their 


176  HOME    WORSHIP. 

hearts  the  present  purpose,  "  I  will  arise  and  go 
to  my  Father,  and  say,  '  I  have  sinned  against 
heaven  and  in  thy  sight.'  " 

Lord,  send  conviction  to  the  men  and  women 
of  care,  those  who  are  cumbered  with  much  serv- 
ing and  who  are  careful  and  troubled  about  many 
things,  but  neglect  in  all  their  toils  the  one  thing 
needful.  Oh,  startle  them  with  the  solemn  ques- 
tions of  the  Son  of  God,  "  What  shall  it  profit  a 
man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own 
soul  ?  and  what  shall  a  man  give  in  exchange  for 
his  soul  ?"  Help  them  to  cast  aside  the  cares 
of  this  world  and  the  deceitfulness  of  riches, 
and  seek  those  duties  of  godliness  which  will 
sweeten  all  the  necessary  toils  of  life,  and  those 
treasures  which  moth  and  rust  do  not  corrupt 
and  into  which  thieves  do  not  break  and  steal. 

Lord,  send  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  those 
who  build  on  their  own  morality  and  vainly  plead 
that  they  have  kept  thy  commandments  from 
their  youth  up.  Yet  thou  seest,  O  God,  that  they 
have  wrapped  up  their  souls  in  a  flimsy  delusion 
and  with  a  righteousness  of  filthy  rags,  for  they 
have  broken  the  spirit  if  not  the  letter  of  every 
commandment  thou  hast  given  them.  Lo !  there 
is  not  a  just  man  on  earth  that  doeth  good  and 
sinneth  not;  how  much  less,  then,  those  who  refuse 
to  love  thee  with  all  the  heart — with  all  that  love 
which  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law  !  Oh,  speak  to 
them  by  thy  word  and  Spirit.  "  By  the  deeds  of 


REVIVAL.  177 

the  law  shall  no  flesh  living  be  justified."  Oh, 
let  that  law  slay  them  that  now  they  may  be 
made  alive  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  thus  they  may 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  that  free  grace  by  which  all 
their  sins  shall  be  pardoned  and  they  be  accepted 
as  righteous  in  thy  sight  only  for  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  imputed  to  them  and  received  by 
faith  alone. 

O  Lord,  send  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  those 
who  cherish  the  sentiments  of  infidelity,  who 
against  the  cloud  of  living  witnesses,  and  against 
the  glorious  testimony  for  thy  word,  within  and 
without  it,  and  against  the  deep  cravings  of  their 
own  needy  and  unsatisfied  and  fearful  souls, 
reject  the  Bible  as  the  gift  of  God's  mercy  to  an 
ignorant,  depraved  and  perishing  race.  O  God, 
thou  seest  that  these  sentiments,  however  much 
or  little  they  are  indulged  in,  are  not  the  defences 
of  enlightened  understanding,  but  of  the  corrupt 
heart.  Thy  Spirit,  O  God,  can  strip  off  from 
these  deceived  souls  this  armor  of  unbelief,  so 
that  they  shall  stand  in  the  nakedness  of  their 
depravity  and  be  slain  by  the  truth,  the  glorious 
truth.  Oh,  go  to  them  with  this  weapon  though 
they  shelter  themselves  with  munitions  of  rocks, 
and  let  it  be  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling 
down  of  strongholds. 

O  Lord,  let  thy  word  have  free  course  every- 
where and  be  glorified,  instructing  and  quickening 
and  sanctifying  thy  people  and  converting  sinners 


i;8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

from  the  error  of  their  ways,  that  so  thy  kingdom 
may  come  and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  in 
heaven,  through  Christ  Jesus.  Amen. 


REVIVAL. 

O  LORD,  revive  thy  work ;  in  the  midst  of  the 
years  make  known ;  in  wrath  remember  mercy. 
Oh,  give  thy  Church  an  increasing  spirit  of 
prayer  and  zeal,  and  do  thou  honor  thy  great 
name,  O  Lord,  in  the  conversion  of  many 
sinners. 

Lord,  remember  in  mercy  the  little  ones,  the 
lambs  of  thy  flock.  Feed  them,  take  them  to 
thy  bosom ;  and  if  any  of  thy  disciples  should 
rebuke  them  or  those  that  bring  them,  say  to 
them,  "  Forbid  them  not,  but  suffer  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven."  Oh,  shelter  them  and  nurture  them, 
and  as  they  increase  in  years  may  they  increase 
in  grace,  and  as  they  grow  in  stature  may  they 
grow  in  favor  with  God  and  man. 

Remember  those  who,  having  passed  out  of 
childhood,  are  now  passing  through  the  season 
of  youth.  Though  they  have  abused  many  mer- 
cies and  despised  many  privileges  and  neglected 
many  counsels,  say  to  each  one,  "  My  son,  my 
daughter,  give  me  thy  heart."  Incline  them  now 


REVIVAL.  179 

to  seek  thy  service  ere  the  cares  of  this  world, 
the  deceitfulness  of  riches  and  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh  harden  their  hearts,  stifle  their  consciences 
and  cause  them  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  calls  of 
mercy.  May  they  learn  that  youth  is  the  time 
to  serve  the  Lord,  that  now  is  their  accepted  time 
and  day  of  salvation,  while,  if  they  put  off  repent- 
ance and  faith,  sin  will  gather  fearful  strength  in 
their  souls  and  make  their  salvation  more  hope- 
less. 

Remember  the  young  men  in  our  midst  who 
are  now  rejoicing  in  the  elastic  vigor  of  life,  and 
on  whom  thou  art  laying  the  responsibilities  of 
society.  Turn  them  now  from  the  error  of  their 
ways  to  seek  that  righteousness  which  will  qual- 
ify them  for  all  their  personal  and  relative  duties, 
and  which  will  prepare  them  for  an  inheritance 
of  bliss.  Lord,  shall  any  of  these  who  are  chil- 
dren of  the  kingdom  be  cast  out  when  the  chil- 
dren of  idolatry  shall  come  from  the  north  and 
from  the  south  and  from  the  east  and  from  the 
west,  and  sit  down  with  Abraham  and  Isaac  and 
Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ?  Oh,  startle  in 
their  memories  the  echoes  of  long-forgotten  pa- 
rental instructions,  and  grant  that  the  prayers  of 
parents  which  have  gone  up  to  thy  throne,  and 
have  been  treasured  there  as  vials  full  of  golden 
odors,  may  be  poured  out  and  so  answered  that 
many  may  be  made  to  rejoice  in  beholding  their 
children  born  again  to  an  endless  life. 


t8o  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Lord,  remember  those  who  boast  the  strength 
of  middle  life,  but  who  use  it  all  in  selfishness, 
regardless  of  the  righteous  claims  of  thy  service. 
Say  not  to  them  in  thy  wrath,  "  Ephraim  is  joined 
to  idols  ;  let  him  alone."  "  Cut  it  down  :  why 
cumbereth  it  the  ground  ?"  but  oh,  lead  them 
to  give  thee  the  strength  of  their  days,  and  thou 
wilt  smooth  for  them  the  journey  of  life  and 
lead  them  in  those  ways  which  are  pleasantness 
and  those  paths  which  are  peace. 

Remember  the  aged  impenitent  on  whose  head 
weary  and  fainting  nature  is  holding  forth  the 
signal  of  surrender  to  death  ;  who,  however  long 
others  may  live,  must  soon  lie  down  in  the  nar- 
row house  appointed  for  all  the  living,  and  say  to 
corruption,  "  Thou  art  my  mother,"  and  to  the 
worm,  "Thou  art  my  brother  and  sister."  Oh, 
bring  them  yet  into  the  ways  of  righteousness, 
that  their  hoary  heads  may  be  crowns  of  glory 
here  on  earth  and  that  they  may  wear  crowns 
of  gold  in  the  general  assembly  and  church  of 
the  first-born  in  heaven. 

And,  Lord,  we  pray  thee  to  remember  those  of 
every  class  and  age  who  are  drawing  nigh  to 
death,  and  who  are  soon  to  exchange  this  state 
of  probation  for  one  of  retribution.  If  there  be 
any  of  these  who  are  careless  of  eternal  interests, 
oh  awake  them  to  an  earnest  solicitude  to  have 
their  peace  made  with  thee  ere  the  day  of  thy 
wrath  comes,  when  there  shall  be  none  to  deliver. 


REVIVAL.  l8l 

If  there  are  any  on  whom  the  speedy  sentence 
of  death  is  to  fall  among  those  who  inquire  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved,  oh  cut  them  not  off 
till  they  have  fled  to  the  city  of  refuge  and  laid 
hold  of  the  hope  of  mercy  in  Jesus  Christ  And, 
Lord,  if  there  are  any  of  thine  own  justified  and 
adopted  and  sanctified  ones  whose  end  cometh 
quickly,  prepare  them  thoroughly  for  their  sol- 
emn change,  that  in  the  full  assurance  of  hope  they 
may  exchange  the  earthly  house  of  this  dissolv- 
ing tabernacle  for  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

Lord,  again  we  implore  thee  in  Jesus  Christ  to 
revive  thy  work  ;  in  the  midst  of  the  years  make 
known ;  in  deserved  wrath  remember  undeserved 
mercy.  Amen. 


REVIVAL. 

To  whom,  O  Lord,  but  unto  thee  shall  we  go 
with  thanksgiving  and  supplication  ?  We  bless 
thee  that  thou  hast  revived  thy  Church  and  con- 
vinced and  converted  sinners.  Yet  oh  how  faith- 
less and  unbelieving  have  we  been  !  We  said  if 
our  hearts,  "  If  the  Lord  would  make  windows  ir. 
heaven,  this  might  be."  But  notwithstanding  our 
backsliding  and  unbelief  and  unworthiness.  thou 
hast  come  among  us  to  refresh  us  with  thy  sav- 


1 82  HOME    WORSHIP. 

ing  presence.  Oh,  give  us  grace  to  raise  our 
Ebenezer  and  to  say,  "  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us." 

And  now,  O  Lord,  shall  thy  work  cease  ?  Shall 
thy  people  in  their  rejoicings  over  those  who  are 
saved  forget  those  on  whom  the  condemnation 
for  sin  unforsaken  and  a  Saviour  rejected  still 
rests  ?  Shall  the  love  and  zeal  of  thy  Church 
grow  cold,  and  the  anxieties  of  sinners  fade  away 
as  the  early  cloud,  and  the  heedless  go  down  un- 
disturbed to  everlasting  death  ?  Oh,  we  plead 
with  thee  against  these  fearful  evils  by  thy  glory, 
that  the  ungodly  may  not  say,  "  Where  is  their 
God  ?"  We  plead  before  thee  thy  power,  wis- 
dom, holiness,  justice,  goodness  and  truth,  which 
will  be  tarnished  in  the  eyes  of  men  if  thou  wilt 
withdraw  thy  saving  influences  from  our  midst. 
We  plead  before  thee  these  precious  souls,  which 
thou  hast  made  in  the  image  of  thine  own  eter- 
nity, with  boundless  capacities  of  endless  bliss 
and  eternal  woe.  And,  O  God,  we  plead  before 
thee  the  Redeemer's  incarnation  and  poverty  and 
reproach  and  suffering  and  death  and  resurrection 
and  ascension  and  glorious  intercession.  Oh, 
shall  not  these  pleas,  offered,  we  trust,  in  concur- 
rence with  thy  holy  will,  avail  at  thy  mercy-seat  ? 
Lord,  let  not  thy  work  cease.  We  would  be- 
lieve :  help  thou  our  unbelief. 

O  Lord,  make  thy  people  feel  their  solemn  re- 
sponsibilities in  regard  to  the  present  advance- 


REVIVAL.  183 

ment  of  thy  kingdom.  May  they  seek  a  re- 
newed and  increasing  conviction  of  the  worth 
of  the  soul  now  in  fearful  peril  of  eternal  death. 
Give  them  a  realizing  conviction  that  every  soul 
that  has  not  believed  on  Christ  is  condemned 
already,  and  unless  converted  will  go  on  from 
day  to  day  and  hour  to  hour  and  moment  to 
moment  treasuring  up  wrath  against  the  day  of 
wrath.  Oh,  may  they  feel  for  perishing  sinners 
in  some  degree  as  they  would  for  themselves  if 
their  eternal  interests  were  in  such  dreadful  jeop- 
ardy. And,  Lord,  whatsoever  they  would  that 
others  would  do  for  them  in  that  condition  of 
dreadful  peril  may  they  do  even  so  to  them,  in- 
structing and  warning  them  and  striving  to  pluck 
them  as  brands  from  the  burning.  Let  them  not 
be  content  to  dwell  at  ease  in  their  possessions, 
nor  nourish  their  hearts  with  an  indolent  enjoy- 
ment of  personal  salvation,  but  may  they  seek 
to  be  co-workers  with  thee  in  the  salvation  of 
men. 

O  thou  Hearer  of  prayer,  teach  thy  people  to 
pray  for  sinners,  and  quicken  them  by  the  Spirit 
with  that  grace  of  intercessory  prayer  which, 
animated  by  a  love  of  souls  and  reliance  on  thy 
promises  of  mercy  and  yearnings  after  displays 
of  thy  glory  in  the  conversion  of  the  impenitent, 
will  lead  them  in  the  closet  and  in  the  family  and 
in  the  social  meeting  and  in  the  great  congrega- 
tion, and  everywhere  and  continually,  to  plead 


1 84  HOME    WORSHIP. 

with  thee  fervently  and  importunately  for  thine 
enriching  blessing  in  giving  newness  of  life  to 
those  who  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. 

O  God  of  truth,  give  success  to  thy  preached 
word  and  make  it  thy  power  and  wisdom  to  sal- 
vation. As  the  rain  cometh  down  from  heaven 
and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth 
and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud  that  it  may  give 
seed  to  the  sower  and  bread  to  the  eater,  so  let 
thy  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out  of  thy  mouth. 
Let  it  not  return  unto  thee  void,  but  accomplish 
that  which  thou  pleasest,  and  prosper  in  the 
thing  whereto  thou  hast  sent  it.  May  it  quicken 
thy  people  in  knowledge,  zeal  and  holiness.  May 
it  convince  the  ungodly  of  sin  and  righteousness 
and  judgment,  leading  them  to  the  atonement 
thou  hast  made  in  the  person  of  thy  Son  for  the 
sins  of  the  world,  and  persuading  them,  by  the 
influence  of  thy  Spirit,  to  receive  and  rest  on  him 
as  the  only  name  given  under  heaven  among 
men  whereby  they  can  be  saved. 

And  these  blessings  we  ask  only  in  the  name 
of  Jesus,  our  blessed  Redeemer,  to  whom,  with 
the  everlasting  Father  and  eternal  Spirit,  be  all 
the  praise  now  and  for  ever.  Arnen. 


REVIVAL.  185 

REVIVAL. 

BEHOLD,  now,  O  Lord,  we  who  are  but  dust 
and  ashes  have  taken  upon  us  to  speak  to  thee 
who  art  infinite,  eternal  and  unchangeable  in  all 
thy  perfections.  Oh,  we  are  constrained  to  adore 
thy  condescension  and  mercy  that,  though  thou 
inhabitest  eternity  and*  the  praises  thereof,  thou 
wilt  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  faith  strengthen 
us  by  thy  power  and  teach  us  by  thy  wisdom  and 
sanctify  us  by  thy  holiness  and  justify  us  by  thy 
righteousness  and  save  us  by  thy  mercy  in  Jesus 
Christ,  so  that  in  the  dispensations  of  thy  grace 
toward  weak  and  erring  and  sinful  and  condemned 
and  lost  men  every  perfection  of  thy  character 
shall  be  displayed  and  glorified. 

Lord,  bless  now  thy  preached  word.  As  it  is 
exhibited  by  thy  ministering  servant,  let  it  be  the 
counsel  of  God  in  its  freeness,  fullness,  pungency 
and  power.  Let  it  not  fall  by  the  wayside  nor 
upon  stony  ground  nor  among  thorns,  but  into 
good  ground.  Thou  hast  given  us  this  treasure 
in  earthen  vessels  that  the  excellency  of  the 
power  may  be  of  God.  Oh,  display  that  excel- 
lency on  the  hearts  of  its  hearers  in  our  midst 
that  it  may  be  the  power  of  God  for  their  salva- 
tion. 

Oh,  let  thy  preached  word  reach  the  hearts  of 
thy  believing  people.  May  its  entrance  give  light 
to  their  undei  standings,  teaching  them  its  beauty 


1 86  HOME    WORSHIP, 

and  fullness  and  value.  Sanctify  them  by  th> 
truth  :  thy  word  is  truth.  Let  thy  word,  O  Lord, 
quicken  them  in  every  duty,  and  especially  now 
in  earnest  prayer  and  faithful  labor  for  thy  king- 
dom in  the  hearts  of  men.  Oh,  let  thy  truth  be 
profitable  to  them  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for 
correction  and  for  instruction  in  righteousness, 
that  they  may  be  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all 
good  works. 

O  Lord,  let  thy  truth  reach  the  hearts  of  those 
who  are  inquiring  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved. 
Do  thou  teach  them  their  sins  in  the  light  of 
thy  law.  Show  them  that  they  lie  under  a  just 
sentence  of  condemnation  for  sin.  Give  them 
deep  penitence  of  heart  for  their  transgressions. 
Reveal  Jesus  Christ  to  them  as  the  atonement  for 
sin,  infinitely  able  and  infinitely  willing  to  save  all 
that  come  unto  thee  by  him.  Oh,  incline  them 
at  once  without  reserve  and  with  fullness  of  heart 
to  take  him  as  their  Saviour  from  the  guilt  and 
punishment  of  sin,  to  instruct  them  in  the  will  of 
God  for  their  salvation,  and  to  reign  in  their  hearts 
without  a  rival.  And,  O  Lord,  give  them  thence- 
forth an  assurance  of  thy  love,  peace  of  con- 
science, joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  increase  of  grace 
and  perseverance  therein  to  the  end. 

Let  thy  truth  reach  the  hearts  of  those  who 
live  regardless  of  thy  claims  on  their  obedience 
and  of  the  precious  interests  of  their  undying 
souls.  Show  those  who  are  lovers  of  pleasure 


REVIVAL.  187 

more  than  lovers  of  God  their  folly  and  wicked- 
ness in  pursuing  the  joys  of  earth.  Teach  those 
who  wait  for  a  more  convenient  season  that  there 
is  no  promise  of  pardon  for  to-morrow.  Show 
those  who  forget  God  in  the  toils  of  business 
that  thy  favor  only  can  bless  their  efforts,  and 
let  the  covetous  know  that  they  cannot  serve 
God  and  mammon.  Lord,  teach  those  who 
would  work  out  a  righteousness  of  their  own 
that  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  no  flesh  living  can 
be  justified.  Show  unbelievers  their  blindness  and 
open  their  eyes  to  the  light  of  truth.  Teach  the 
proud  humility,  that  in  the  abasement  of  the 
gospel  they  may  be  exalted.  Let  the  tongue 
that  has  been  defiled  by  profanity  speak  the 
words  of  praise.  Let  the  hand  of  dishonesty 
make  restitution  and  steal  no  more.  Teach  the 
Sabbath-breaker  to  remember  thy  day  to  keep  it 
holy.  Smite  hypocrites  with  repenting  convic- 
tion, and  lead  them  to  worship  thee  in  spirit  and 
in  truth.  Let  the  scoffers'  words  of  scorn  be 
turned  into  words  of  praise.  Turn  back  the 
profligate  from  his  career  of  infamy  and  ruin  into 
the  pathways  of  holiness. 

O  Lord,  grant  the  influences  of  thy  Spirit  in 
such  measure  and  power  that  many  in  every  class 
and  grade  of  sin  may  learn  their  guilt  and  see 
their  danger,  and  then,  beholding  the  door  of 
escape  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ,  strive 
to  enter  in  at  that  strait  gate  that  leads  to  eternal 


1 88  HOME    WORSHIP. 

life,  exercising  faith  in  thy  promise  that  he  who 
cometh  to  thee  thou  wilt  in  no  wise  cast  out,  and 
receiving  Jesus  as  their  hope  of  pardon  and  their 
everlasting  portion.  Enable  them  to  give  up 
their  hearts  to  thee  with  an  unconditional  and 
complete  submission.  Help  them  to  make  with 
thee  a  covenant  of  obedience  that  knows  of  no 
reserve  and  no  limitation  but  eternity.  And, 
O  God,  do  thou  shine  into  their  hearts  to  give 
them  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  they  may  now  have 
a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  end  of  their  faith,  the 
salvation  of  their  souls,  to  the  praise  of  God  the 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit.  Amen. 


RE  VIVAL. 

O  LORD,  bestow  on  us  at  this  time  for  the  sake 
of  Christ  the  grace  of  prayer.  May  we  feel  our 
special  wants  in  relation  to  thy  work  of  grace 
among  us,  and  seek  the  supply  of  them  with  that 
strength  of  desire  and  faith  without  which  it  is 
impossible  to  please  thee. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  ministry  of  reconcilia- 
tion, and  that  we  have  so  many  of  its  fruits  in 
our  midst.  Oh,  do  thou,  Lord,  bless  him  who 
ministers  to  us  in  holy  things.  May  he  enjoy  in 
his  own  heart  a  rich  experience  of  gospel  bless- 


REVIVAL.  189 

ings,  and  by  prayer  and  study  and  the  influences 
of  thy  Spirit  be  thoroughly  furnished  unto  every 
good  work.  May  he  speak  the  words  of  truth 
and  soberness,  and  so  reason  with  this  people 
of  righteousness,  of  temperance  and  of  a  judg- 
ment to  come  that  his  church  may  be  made  wise 
and  holy  and  zealous,  until  sinners  shall  be  con- 
victed of  sin  and  brought  in  an  humble  penitence 
to  the  footstool  of  mercy  to  receive  remission 
of  sins  in  the  Redeemer's  blood  and  acceptance 
in  his  justifying  merits.  Make  him  now  and 
hereafter  the  honored  instrument  of  turning  many 
to  righteousness,  that  his  reward  may  be  with 
those  that  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firma- 
ment, and  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

O  Lord,  bestow  on  thy  Church  new  and  increas- 
ing manifestations  of  thy  goodness.  We  thank 
thee  for  the  love  of  souls  which  has  animated 
her,  and  we  pray  thee  that  it  may  become  the 
ruling  and  abiding  passion  of  the  hearts  of  all 
thy  people  here.  We  thank  thee  for  the  increase 
with  which  thou  hast  already  blessed  her.  Oh, 
let  these  be  but  the  first  fruits  of  an  abundance  of 
overflowing  harvest.  And  for  this  end  we  be- 
seech thee  for  a  baptism  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  so 
that  every  motive  may  be  sanctified,  that  every 
feeling  of  dependence  may  be  deepened  and  made 
to  fasten  on  thee,  and  that  every  impulse  of  zeal 
may  be  quickened,  that  so  this  Church  may  take 
its  place  (furnished  with  the  whole  armor  of  God) 


1 90  HOME    WORSHIP. 

in  that  great  sacramental  host  which  thou  art 
now  leading  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer. 

Look  with  compassion  on  those  in  our  midst 
whose  anxieties  about  eternal  life  have  been 
stirred  up  by  thy  Spirit.  Oh,  let  them  not  grieve 
thy  Spirit  by  indecision  in  this  great  question 
of  everlasting  interest.  Press  upon  them  the 
great  crisis  of  immediate  repentance  and  im- 
mediate faith  and  immediate  conversion.  En- 
able them  at  once  to  decide  by  thy  Spirit  to  for- 
sake sin,  to  believe  in  Christ,  to  submit  to  thy 
will,  and  to  give  their  hearts  to  thee  in  a  cove- 
nant of  pardoned  sin  and  holy  living  and  eternal 
salvation. 

Regard  in  mercy  those  amongst  us  who  care 
for  none  of  these  things,  who  live  as  if  there 
was  no  God  to  offend,  no  hell  to  risk  and  no 
heaven  to  gain,  and  who  as  to  eternity  live  as 
the  brutes  that  perish.  O  Lord,  do  thou  startle 
with  a  sense  of  their  guilt  and  danger  those  youth 
who  live  in  thoughtlessness  and  pleasure,  and  do 
thou  draw  them  with  cords  of  love  away  from 
the  broad  road  on  which  they  are  now  running 
with  heedless  steps  down  to  perdition,  and  bring 
them  into  the  strait  and  narrow  way  that  leads 
to  everlasting  life.  Lord,  reach  the  hearts  of 
those  that  dwell  in  the  meridian  of  life  whose 
thoughts  are  immersed  in  care,  and  whose  habits 
of  sin  have  by  long  and  unrepented  indulgence 
grown  into  a  hardness  like  adamant.  Oh,  thy 


REVIVAL.  ipl 

word  can  be  to  them  by  thy  Spirit  as  a  hammer 
that  breaketh  and  as  a  fire  that  melteth  the  rock. 
Give  them  hearts  of  flesh  for  their  hearts  of 
stone — alive  to  every  sentiment  of  sorrow  for  sin 
and  faith  in  Christ  and  love  to  God  and  good-will 
to  men.  And,  O  Lord,  remember  the  impeni- 
tent aged  amongst  us  who  are  traveling  on  the 
steep  declivities  of  life,  carrying  on  their  heads 
and  in  their  features  and  in  their  limbs  the  tokens 
of  approaching  death,  but  who  live  as  if  they  had 
made  a  covenant  with  death  and  an  agreement 
with  hell.  O  God,  thou  seest  that  these  hearts 
have  lain  fallow  through  scores  of  seed-time  and 
harvest,  until  they  are  as  the  heath  of  the  desert 
that  knoweth  not  when  good  cometh.  Oh,  break 
up  these  dry  and  barren  and  hardened  soils  and 
cast  in  the  seed  of  truth,  and  rain  righteousness 
upon  them  that  they  may  bring  forth  even  at 
midwinter  the  blade  and  the  ear  and  the  full  corn 
in  the  ear,  that  these  for  whom  fear  almost  tri- 
umphs over  hope  may  still  be  brought  as  a 
shock  of  corn  cometh  in  his  season  fully  ripe. 

Lord,  grant  us  answers  to  our  petitions  through 
Jesus  Christ,  and  thine  shall  be  the  praise  for 
ever.  Amen. 


192  HOME    WORSHIP. 

RE  VIVAL. 

BLESSED  GOD,  we  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  plead  thy  promises  of  mercy  to  a 
sinful  world.  Thou  hast  told  us  that  thou  hast 
no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  sinner,  but  would 
rather  he  would  turn  and  live,  and  that  thou 
wilt  be  inquired  of  by  thy  people  to  save  perish- 
ing souls,  declaring  that  thou  art  more  ready  to 
answer  than  they  are  to  ask. 

Lord,  we  humbly  ask  thee  to  magnify  thy  great 
name  in  the  salvation  of  sinners.  Oh,  do  thou 
glorify  thy  wisdom  in  translating  them  from  dark- 
ness unto  light,  and  by  turning  them  from  the 
error  of  their  ways  unto  the  wisdom  of  the  just, 
and  by  giving  them  a  saving  knowledge  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Lord,  glorify  thy  power 
in  breaking  the  stony  heart  and  bending  the 
stubborn  will,  and  bringing  every  wayward  and 
rebellious  thought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience 
of  Christ.  Lord,  glorify  thy  holiness  in  bringing 
transgressors  from  sin  to  righteousness,  and  from 
the  dominion  of  Satan  to  thy  holy  service.  Lord, 
display  thy  justice  by  extending  to  them  that  act 
of  thy  free  grace  by  which  thou  wilt  pardon  their 
sins  and  accept  them  as  righteous  in  thy  sight 
only  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ  imputed  to 
them  and  received  by  faith  alone.  Lord,  magnify 
thy  goodness  in  making  them  the  recipients  not 
only  of  those  tender  mercies  which  are  over  all 


REVIVAL.  193 

thy  works,  but  also  partakers  of  that  peculiar 
mercy  in  the  redemption  purchased  by  Jesus 
Christ  by  which  they  shall  rejoice  "in  sin  par- 
doned, wrath  averted  and  salvation  secured. 
Lord,  glorify  thy  truth  in  fulfilling  amongst  us 
the  precious  promises  that  thy  people  shall  be 
willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power,  and  that  thou 
wilt  give  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  to 
multitudes  who  are  now  without  God  and  hope 
in  the  world. 

Oh,  glorious  Jehovah,  honor  thy  great  name 
and  magnify  all  the  perfections  of  thy  character 
in  reconciling  to  thyself  those  who  are  now  thine 
enemies  by  wicked  works,  not  imputing  unto 
them  their  trespasses  and  their  sins,  but  that, 
being  justified  by  his  blood,  they  may  be  saved 
from  wrath  through  him. 

Blessed  Jesus,  Friend  and  Saviour  of  sinners, 
fulfill  thy  promise  to  us  that  wherever  two  or 
three  shall  be  gathered  in  thy  name  thou  wilt 
be  with  them ;  and  oh,  thy  presence  is  always  our 
blessing.  The  special  blessing  we  ask  of  thee  is 
that  thou  wouldst  reveal  thyself  unto  this  people 
as  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sins 
of  the  world.  Be  thou  to  the  ungodly  here  a 
fountain  opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness.  Thou 
wast  lifted  up  that  thou  migbtest  draw  all  men 
unto  thee.  Oh,  grant  that  sinners  may  come  to 
thee  under  a  sense  of  their  sins  and  a  conviction 
of  the  condemnation  due  to  them  for  transgres- 

13 


194  HOME    WORSHIP. 

sion ;  and  believing  that  thou  wast  wounded  for 
their  transgressions  and  bruised  for  their  iniqui- 
ties, may  they  receive  thee  as  thou  art  offered 
in  the  gospel  for  their  salvation.  And  oh,  may 
they  find  in  the  peace  of  sins  forgiven  that  it  is 
indeed  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accep- 
tation, that  thou  didst  come  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners.  Oh,  be  thou  their  Prophet  to  teach 
and  their  Priest  to  atone  and  their  King  to  rule 
over  them. 

Blessed  Spirit,  come,  we  pray  thee,  among  us, 
and  do  thine  own  office-work  in  the  conversion 
of  sinners.  Without  thy  blessing  every  work  of 
man  will  be  fruitless.  Convince  the  impenitent 
of  sin,  of  righteousness  and  of  a  judgment  to 
come.  Show  them  their  guilt  in  the  light  of  thy 
holy  law.  Teach  them  the  wrath  that  shall  be 
revealed  against  them  in  the  retribution  of  the 
ungodly  at  the  last  day.  Give  them  deep  and 
sincere  repentance  for  a  life  of  transgression. 
Make  them  acknowledge  in  their  hearts  the  jus- 
tice of  the  penalty  thou  hast  denounced  against 
their  sins.  Exhibit  Christ  crucified  as  the  way — 
the  only  way,  the  all-sufficient  way — appointed  by 
God  for  their  reconciliation  to  him.  Oh,  we  pray 
thee,  dispose  and  enable  them  to  take  him  as  their 
Redeemer  and  to  trust  him  for  their  salvation, 
and  to  resolve  that  God  shall  henceforth  have 
the  affections  of  their  hearts  and  the  praise  of 
their  tongues  and  the  service  of  their  lives. 


REVIVAL.  195 

O  blessed  Spirit,  be  not  grieved  at  the  unbelief 
and  sins  of  thy  people,  nor  at  the  impenitency 
and  rebellion  of  sinners.  Leave,  oh  leave  us  not, 
as  we  deserve  for  our  neglect  and  abuse  of  thy 
mercies,  to  lukewarmness  on  the  part  of  the 
Church  and  to  reprobacy  on  the  part  of  sinners, 
but  come  amongst  us  as  the  rain  that  refreshes 
the  parched  earth,  and  give  us  in  undeserved  but 
needful  mercy  the  ministrations  which  are  life  be- 
cause of  righteousness. 

O  Lord,  for  Christ's  sake  revive  thy  work  with 
new  and  increasing  power,  that  souls  may  be 
converted  and  the  grace  of  thy  people  replenish- 
ed and  thy  name  be  for  ever  glorified.  Amen. 


REVIVAL. 

O  LORD,  we  come  to  thee  again  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ  to  supplicate  thee  to  revive  thy 
work  in  the  hearts  of  thy  people.  Oh,  do  thou 
bring  them  up  to  the  gospel,  the  revival,  the  mil- 
lennial standard  of  duty.  Oh,  may  every  believer 
renew  his  assurance  of  a  personal  interest  in  the 
merits  of  Jesus,  again  seeking  repentance  for  sin, 
faith  in  the  Saviour  and  the  hope  of  acceptance 
in  him.  And  then,  remembering  that  they  are 
bought  with  a  price,  even  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
and  that  they  are  bound  to  glorify  God  in  their 


ig6  HOME  WORSHIP. 

bodies  and  spirits,  which  is  their  most  reasonable 
service,  may  all  make  it  their  serious  and  prayer- 
ful and  continual  inquiry,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
have  us  to  do  ?" 

Lord,  teach  us  to  pray.  Oh,  give  us  an  abiding, 
absorbing  conviction  that  thou  art  the  Source  of 
every  blessing  and  that  without  thy  help  we  can 
do  nothing.  May  we  keep  in  mind  that  thou  art 
the  Rewarder  of  those  that  diligently  seek  thee, 
and  cherish  that  faith  in  prayer  without  which  it 
is  impossible  to  please  thee.  Oh,  let  the  love  of 
souls  excite  our  strong  and  persevering  desires. 
May  the  same  yearnings  of  spirit  be  in  us  which 
moved  the  blessed  Saviour  to  come  to  earth  that 
he  might  save  guilty  sinners  from  an  eternity  of 
woe  and  exalt  them  to  fellowship  with  him  in 
everlasting  bliss.  Oh,  may  thy  people  select 
from  the  crowd  of  deathless  condemned  souls 
around  them  those  for  whom  to  offer  special, 
fervent,  persevering  and  believing  prayer.  And 
let  our  earnest  desires  go  up  to  thy  throne  of 
grace  for  every  one  who  is  still  without  God  and 
hope  in  the  world,  that  people  of  every  age  and 
rank  and  character  may  be  made  to  see  and  feel 
the  truth  which  maketh  wise  unto  salvation. 
O  God,  teach  us  to  pray  and  quicken  us  by  thy 
Spirit  in  prayer  for  souls. 

Give  us  grace,  O  Lord,  for  Christ's  sake,  so  to 
live  and  act  before  the  world  that  we  may  teach 
transgressors  thy  way  and  thus  sinners  may  be 


REVIVAL.  197 

converted  fo  thee.  Make  us  living  epistles,  hold- 
ing forth  the  word  of  life,  putting  to  silence  by 
well-doing  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men,  reprov- 
ing the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  showing  to 
the  world  that  we  have  been  with  Jesus,  and  let- 
ting our  lights  so  shine  before  men  that  they, 
seeing  our  good  works,  may  be  led  to  glorify 
thee  and  become  followers  of  those  who  follow 
Christ 

Lord,  send  thy  servants  forth  to  call  those  who 
are  bidden  to  the  gospel-feast.  And  may  they 
go  also  to  the  highways  and  bring  those  that 
were  not  bidden,  that  thy  courts  may  be  filled. 
Oh,  may  thy  people  feel  their  obligation  to  bring 
sinners  to  the  house  of  God,  and  go  forth  with 
cheerfulness  and  alacrity  to  gather  the  careless 
and  gainsaying  within  the  reach  of  saving  truth. 

And,  O  Lord,  we  pray  that  we  may  not  be 
satisfied  with  the  duties  of  prayer  and  example 
and  soliciting  the  attendance  of  the  impenitent 
in  the  house  of  God,  but  may  we  go  forth  in 
personal  efforts  as  thy  disciples  in  the  days  of 
pentecostal  effusion,  preaching  the  gospel  every- 
where, and  carrying  home  to  the  reason  and  con- 
science and  hope  and  fear  and  love  of  the  un- 
godly the  truths  of  that  gospel  with  the  same 
directness  of  purpose  and  intention  and  expecta- 
tion of  success  which  we  use  in  the  common 
interests  of  life.  Oh,  excite  us  to  do  this  by  a 
sense  of  obligation  to  thee  as  our  Lord  and 


198  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Master,  who  hast  made  us  stewards  of  thy  bounty 
to  a  perishing  world.  Animate  to  this  discharge 
of  duty  by  the  glorious  hope  that  he  who  con- 
verteth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  ways  shall 
save  a  soul  from  death,  and  by  the  glorious  re- 
ward promised  to  those  who  turn  many  to  right- 
eousness that  they  shall  shine  as  the  stars  and 
as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament  for  ever.  O 
Lord,  rebuke  our  pleas  of  ignorance  and  diffi- 
dence and  unfitness  and  want  of  character  and 
influence,  but  may  we  go  forth,  even  in  our  infir- 
mities, with  the  messages  of  repentance  and  faith 
in  the  spirit  of  fervent  love,  zealous  purpose  and 
prayerful  trust  in  God.  O  Strength  of  Israel, 
make  us  wise  to  win  souls. 

And,  O  Lord,  we  humbly  ask  thee  to  set  the 
seal  of  thy  blessing  on  every  work  of  faith  and 
every  labor  of  love  which  we  may  undertake  in 
reliance  upon  thee.  Oh,  may  we  behold  with 
pleasure  thy  work  prosper  in  our  hands,  hear 
sinners  inquire  the  way  of  salvation,  see  them 
led  to  the  cross  of  Christ  in  repentance  and 
faith,  and  behold  them  consecrating  themselves 
to  God  in  a  new  and  saving  and  everlasting 
covenant. 

Lord,  let  thy  kingdom  come  and  thy  will  be 
done  on  earth  everywhere,  even  as  it  is  done 
in  heaven.  Send  the  gospel  on  its  errand  of 
saving  mercy  to  every  people,  and  give  thy  Son 
speedily  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his 


DEPRECATIONS.  IQ9 

possession,  to  thy,  praise  Fathei,  Son  and  Spirit. 

Amen. 


DEPRECA  TIONS. 

AGAIXST  CARE,  WAXT,  SICKNESS,  DEATH. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  would  come  to  thee  crying, 
"Alleluia!  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reign- 
eth."  We  bless  thee  that  thou  hast  pledged  thy 
power  in  behalf  of  believing  prayer  and  hast 
promised  thy  help  in  every  hour  of  need  to  all 
that  wait  upon  thee.  We  come  to  thee  now,  O 
Lord,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  ask  thee  to 
avert  from  us  or  to  sanctify  to  us  those  evils 
which  beset  human  life. 

Preserve  us  from  perplexing  care.  While  we 
may  not  expect  and  should  not  desire  to  be  ex- 
empt from  the  toils  and  responsibilities  of  life, 
we  pray  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  encounter 
them  with  a  cheerful  fortitude  and  a  persevering 
diligence,  relying  on  thee  as  our  infinite  Helper. 
Nevertheless,  we  humbly  ask  thee  for  Christ's 
sake  that  we  may  not  be  cast  into  such  circum- 
stances as  shall  be  calculated  to  excite  anxiety 
of  mind  and  strife  of  soul.  O  Lord,  so  direct 
our  emergencies  and  employments  and  so  control 
our  spirits  that  we  may  enjoy  peace  of  mind  con- 
tinually, not  being  anxious  or  careful  about  any- 
thing, but  in  all  things  by  prayer  and  supplication 


200  HOME    WORSHIP. 

making  known  our  requests  to  God.  And,  O 
Lord,  thou  seest  how  the  cares  of  this  world 
choke  the  gospel  as  it  springs  up  in  the  hearts  of 
men.  Oh,  abate  and  remove,  we  pray  thee,  this 
hindrance  to  the  truth.  Open  human  hearts 
everywhere  to  the  influence  of  saving  grace,  and 
let  thy  word  have  free  course  and  be  glorified  in 
the  redemption  of  a  host  which  no  man  can 
number. 

O  Lord,  preserve  us,  if  it  please  thee,  from  want. 
Oh  how  prone  are  we  to  forget  our  dependence 
on  thee,  and  to  think  that  our  own  industry  and 
skill  furnish  us  with  the  means  of  support !  We 
deserve  in  our  ingratitude  and  pride  to  be  im- 
poverished and  made  to  suffer  distressing  penury, 
that  we  might  learn  beyond  forgetfulness  that  it 
is  from  thee  we  derive  ever)''  good  and  perfect 
gift.  Yet  we  pray  that  this  truth  may  not  be 
taught  us  thus,  but  that  with  grateful  hearts  we 
may  acknowledge  thy  dispensing  hand  in  all  our 
bounties,  and  be  led  in  dependence  and  fervency 
of  spirit  to  pray,  "  Give  us  each  day  our  daily 
bread  ;"  bestow  on  us  a  competent  portion  of  the 
good  things  of  this  life  and  grant  us  thy  blessing 
with  them.  Lord,  pity  the  poor.  Relieve  their 
wants  ;  console  them  in  their  destitution  ;  protect 
them  from  oppression  ;  let  thy  gospel  be  preached 
to  them,  that  many  of  them  may  be  r.iade  rich 
in  faith  and  heirs  of  salvation. 

Preserve    us   from  sickness.      We    thank   thee 


DEPRECA  TIONS.  2O I 

(or  exemption  from  this  evil  in  days  past,  and 
that  thou  hast  made  its  seasons  but  few  com- 
pared with  those  of  health.  We  know  indeed 
that  thou  canst  glorify  thyself  and  give  us  wis- 
dom and  sanctification  by  this  form  of  trial,  yet 
thou  canst  also  accomplish  these  ends  by  thy 
grace  in  giving  us  the  healthful  exercise  of  our 
bodies  and  minds.  Oh  that  we  might  make  the 
desire  and  pursuit  of  health  the  means  of  useful- 
ness to  others,  of  personal  piety  and  of  obedience 
to  God.  But  if  in  thy  wisdom  we  are  called  to 
endure  sickness,  let  this  trial  of  our  faith  work 
patience.  May  the  light  of  thy  countenance  be 
more  precious  to  us  than  the  joys  of  the  most 
vigorous  health.  And,  O  God,  regard  in  mercy 
all  who  surfer  this  form  of  adversity.  If  consist- 
ent with  thy  will,  give  them  speedy  deliverance 
from  it.  If  they  are  thy  children  in  the  new 
birth,  make  it  the  means  of  renewing  their  Chris- 
tian graces.  If  they  are  the  children  of  the 
world,  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel, 
oh  lead  them  to  Jesus,  the  Physician  of  the  soul, 
that  even  in  the  pangs  of  a  distempered  body 
they  may  learn  and  rejoice  in  thy  saving  health. 

Preserve  us,  O  Lord,  from  death,  especially  from 
sudden  death.  Thou  hast  indeed  taught  that  it 
is  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die,  yet  our 
timid  nature  and  conscious  guilt  make  us  shrink 
back  from  this  great  crisis  which  will  decide  our 
destinies  for  eternity.  We  pray  that  we  may  not 


202  HOME    WORSHIP. 

be  unduly  fearful  of  it,  but  that  we  may  seek 
diligently  that  preparation  of  heart  which  will 
enable  us  continually  to  look  on  it  without  terror 
and  meet  it  with  composure.  May  we  ever  re- 
member that  the  fitness  of  spirit  which  will  best 
qualify  us  for  the  duties  of  a  religious  life  will 
best  prepare  us  for  the  trial  of  death.  Oh,  grant 
that  we  may  so  act  that  whether  we  live  we  may 
live  unto  the  Lord,  or  whether  we  die  we  may  die 
unto  the  Lord,  so  that,  living  or  dying,  we  may  be 
thine.  And,  O  God,  look  in  mercy  on  those  who 
draw  nigh  unto  death.  Give  sinners  repentance 
toward  God  and  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  so  that 
with  thy  saints  death  may  open  to  them  an 
inheritance  in  thy  kingdom  for  ever.  Amen. 


DEPRECA  TIONS. 

AGAINST  THE  WORLD,  THE  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL,  AND 
AGAINST  SlNS  OF  THE  HEART,  TONGUE  AND  LlFE. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  thou  who  alone  hast 
power  to  deliver,  we  come  to  thee  in  the  pre- 
vailing name  of  Jesus  to  ask  thee  to  preserve 
us  from  those  sins  which  so  easily  beset  us, 
which  our  strength  cannot  baffle,  but  which  thy 
grace  is  abundantly  able  to  subdue. 

Lord,  keep  us  from  conformity  to  the  world. 
Suffer  us  not  to  adopt  its  maxims  nor  follow  its 


DEPRECATIONS.  203 

examples.  Let  not  its  pleasures  or  riches  or 
honors  attract  our  wishes  or  engross  our  pursuits, 
but  may  we  live  above  it,  seeking  our  pleasures 
in  the  ways  of  wisdom  and  our  honors  in  the 
favor  of  God  and  our  riches  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Thou  hast  told  us,  moreover,  that  there 
is  no  profit  if  we  should  gain  the  whole  world 
and  lose  our  own  souls  ;  for  what  shall  a  man 
give  in  exchange  for  his  soul  ?  O  Lord,  let 
us  not  seek  to  unite  the  service  of  God  and 
mammon,  but  let  us  strive  to  hold  to  thee  and 
hate  and  despise  the  other.  Oh,  make  us  feel 
as  we  go  through  this  world  that  it  is  a  foe  to 
grace,  and  so  enable  us  to  use  it  in  our  neces- 
sity as  not  abusing  it,  seeking  here  no  abiding- 
place  and  setting  our  affections  on  things  heav- 
enly and  divine. 

O  Lord,  keep  us  from  the  lusts  of  the  flesh. 
Let  not  our  eyes  covet  or  our  hearts  desire  those 
things  which  are  unlawful  in  themselves  or  which 
belong  to  others  or  which  in  the  enjoyment 
would  mar  our  true  welfare.  Make  us  indif- 
ferent and  averse  to  the  seductions  of  vain  dis- 
play and  of  worldly  luxury  and  of  carnal  pleas- 
ure. Lord,  subdue  our  vanity  and  pride  and 
selfishness,  and  bring  all  our  passions  into  sub- 
jection to  thy  will  ;  for,  lo  !  this  world  passeth 
away  and  the  lust  thereof,  but  he  that  doeth  the 
will  of  God  abideth  for  ever. 

Lord,  keep  us  from  the  snares  of  Satan.     We 


204  HOME    WORSHIP. 

acknowledge  and  mourn  over  our  unbelief  in  this 
matter.  Oh,  if  thine  own  image  in  our  first  pa- 
rents, if  the  purity  of  Christ,  was  each  exposed 
to  his  temptation,  what  risks  do  not  we  run 
from  his  deceit  ?  Give  us  that  shield  of  faith 
which  will  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked  one.  Give  us  that  watchfulness  over  our 
spirits  which  will  enable  us  to  detect  every  ap- 
proach of  his  temptation.  Give  us  that  holiness 
of  heart  which  will  allow  no  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness.  And,  Lord,  grant 
us  that  spirit  of  prayer  which  will  enable  us 
to  resist  the  devil,  that  he  shall  flee  from  us. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  to  keep  us  from  sins 
of  the  heart.  By  nature  it  is  desperately  wicked  ; 
and  even  when  it  has  been  renewed  by  thy  power 
and  sanctified  by  thy  grace,  it  is  prone  to  evil. 
Oh,  let  us  not  cherish  unholy  thoughts  or  sinful 
desires  or  ungodly  purposes,  but  let  all  our  medi- 
tations and  wishes  and  plans  be  subject  to  thy 
will.  May  we  ever  remember  that  as  we  are  in 
heart  so  we  are  in  life,  for  out  of  it  are  the  issues 
of  life.  Lord,  cleanse  us  from  secret  faults.  Re- 
new within  us  right  spirits.  Subdue  our  stub- 
bornness, melt  our  hardness,  and  oh,  bring  thou 
(for  thou  only  canst  bring)  a  clean  thing  out  of 
this  unclean. 

Lord,  keep  us  from  sins  of  the  tongue.  Keep 
us  from  those  idle  words  which  thou  wilt  bring 
into  judgment.  Let  us  not  be  rash  with  our 


DEPRECATIONS.  20$ 

mouths  nor  speak  unadvisedly  with  our  lips. 
Let  us  not  be  of  those  that  speak  with  flattering 
lips  out  of  a  double  heart.  Enable  us  to  put 
away  evil-speaking  from  us.  Let  no  corrupt 
communication  proceed  from  our  mouths.  Let 
no  guile  be  found  in  our  mouths  nor  falsehood 
in  our  speech,  for  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a 
moment,  but  the  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established 
for  ever.  Grant  that  our  speech  may  be  always 
with  grace. 

Keep  us,  O  Lord,  from  sin  in  our  outward  life. 
Suffer  us  not  to  be  unkind  or  deceitful  or  unjust 
in  our  intercourse  with  mankind.  Keep  us  from 
doing  those  things  which  have  not  the  sanction 
of  thy  will,  or  on  which  we  cannot  ask  thy  bless- 
ing, or  which  thou  hast  forbidden.  Let  us  not 
do  anything  which  will  offend  thee  or  bring  on 
us  the  reproach  of  our  conscience  or  work  injury 
to  our  fellow-creatures  or  dishonor  the  cause  of 
righteousness  before  men.  Let  our  walk  be  in 
everything  such  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ ;  such  as  shall  please  thee ;  such  as  con- 
science shall  approve  ;  such  as  shall  benefit  man- 
kind ;  and  such  as  shall  advance  thy  kingdom 
on  the  earth. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  to  overthrow  the 
power  of  the  world  and  the  flesh  and  the  devil 
in  all  human  hearts.  Redeem  all  thy  creatures 
from  sins  of  the  heart  and  of  the  tongue  and  of 
the  life.  And,  O  Lord,  where:n  any  of  us  fall 


206  HUME    WORSHIP. 

short   or   offend,    do    thou    most   graciously  and 
freely  and  fully  forgive  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


DEPRECA  TIONS. 

AGAINST  ANGER,  BACKSLIDING,  CENSOR IOUSNESS,  COVETOUSNESS, 
DISHONESTY  AND  ENVY. 

O  LORD,  thou  art  rich  in  mercy  to  all  that  call 
upon  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  We  would  come 
to  thee  in  that  appointed  way,  disclaiming  all  per- 
sonal merit,  acknowledging  our  unworthiness  and 
ill-desert,  and  yet  trusting  in  thy  covenanted 
mercy.  We  come  now  to  plead  the  prayer  of 
Jesus  that  thou  wouldst  keep  us  from  the  evil 
that  is  in  the  world,  and  that  those  sins  which 
beset  us  here  may  lose  their  power  over  us,  and 
that  we  may  be  made  to  rejoice  in  the  exercise 
of  a  sanctified  nature. 

Keep  us,  we  pray  thee,  O  Lord,  from  the  sin  of 
anger.  When  we  are  tempted  to  it,  may  we  con- 
sider Him  who  endured  the  contradiction  of  sin- 
ners, and  seek  not  to  avenge  ourselves,  but  rather 
give  place  to  wrath.  Teach  us  that  he  who  ru- 
leth  his  own  spirit  is  greater  than  he  that  taketh 
a  city,  while  he  that  is  hasty  of  spirit  exalteth 
folly,  and  that  he  who  soweth  to  the  wind  shall 
reap  the  whirlwind,  while  the  fruit  of  righteous- 
ness is  sown  in  peace  of  them  that  make  peace. 

Keep  us  from  the  sin  of  backsliding.     Oh,  may 


DEPRECATIONS.  2O/ 

we  avoid  the  appearance  of  evil  and  watch  against 
the  first  encroachments  of  sin  both  in  the 
heart  and  Ufe.  Make  us  steadfast  in  the  per- 
formance tf  every  private  and  public  religious 
duty — not  formally,  but  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
We  would  remember  that  if  any  man  draw  back, 
thou  hast  no  pleasure  in  him.  But,  O  God,  if  we 
should  ever  fall  into  snares,  recover  us  speedily 
and  establish  us  with  penitent  and  steadfast  hearts 
in  the  ways  of  righteousness,  that  we  may  again 
press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  our  high 
calling  in  Jesus.  Oh,  let  us  not  be  of  those  who 
draw  back  unto  perdition,  but  of  those  who  be- 
lieve unto  the  saving  of  the  soul. 

O  Lord,  keep  us  from  the  sin  of  censoriousness. 
Make  us  ready  rather  to  discover  merits  than  to 
find  faults  in  the  character  of  others.  When  we 
are  inclined  to  behold  the  mote  in  our  brother's 
eye,  may  we  consider  whether  there  is  not  a 
beam  in  our  own,  and  that  with  what  judgment 
we  judge  others  we  shall  ourselves  be  judged. 
Enter  not  into  judgment  with  us  as  we  are 
tempted  to  do  with  our  fellow- creatures,  for  then 
we  could  not  stand  before  thee.  If  we  have 
sinned  in  this  matter  (and  oh,  who  has  not  ?),  for- 
give us,  and  grant  us  henceforth  that  humility  and 
forbearance  which  will  keep  us  from  this  trans- 
gression. 

Keep  us  from  the  sin  of  covetousness.  Give 
us  full  contentment  with  our  own  condition  and 


2O8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

a  right  and  charitable  frame  of  spirit  toward  our 
neighbor  and  all  that  is  his.  Take  from  us  all 
discontentment  with  our  own  estate,  all  envy- 
ing and  grieving  at  the  good  of  our  neighbor, 
and  all  inordinate  emotions  and  affections  toward 
anything  that  is  his.  Let  us  not  set  an  undue 
estimate  on  any  earthly  thing,  whether  it  be 
friendship,  pleasure,  honor  or  wealth,  but  oh,  may 
we  set  our  affections  on  things  above,  that  where 
our  treasure  is,  there  our  hearts  may  be  also. 

Keep  us  from  the  sin  of  dishonesty.  Let  no 
temptation,  great  or  small,  subvert,  or  even  dis- 
turb, our  integrity.  May  we  be  ever  ready  to  ren- 
der to  all  their  just  dues.  If  it  please  thee,  give 
us  such  a  competent  portion  of  the  good  things 
of  this  life  as  shall  raise  us  above  the  temptations 
of  poverty,  and  such  contentment  with  what  thou 
hast  given  us  that  we  shall  not  be  inclined  to  tres- 
pass on  the  rights  of  others.  May  we  ever  remem- 
ber the  woe  of  him  that  buildeth  his  house  by  un- 
righteousness and  the  reward  of  him  that  walketh 
righteously,  whose  name  shall  be  as  ointment 
poured  forth,  while  his  memory  shall  be  blessed. 

Keep  us  from  the  sin  of  envy.  Let  us  never 
look  with  unkindness  on  the  advantages  of 
others.  May  we  rather  rejoice  in  all  their  law- 
ful prosperity;  while,  if  their  success  has  been 
procured  unlawfully,  teach  us  to  pray  for  them 
that  their  iniquity  may  be  revealed  to  them  and 
through  penitence  be  forgiven  of  God.  Teach 


DEPRECATIONS.  2CK) 

us  that  our  portion  in  life  is  the  allotment  of  thy 
will,  and  make  us  content  in  thee  as  our  Sover- 
eign and  Benefactor. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  to  subdue  human 
rage  and  promote  peace  between  man  and  man. 
Keep  thy  people  from  backsliding  from  the  ways 
of  godliness.  Banish  evil-speaking  and  slander 
from  every  community.  Supplant  in  every  heart 
the  power  of  covetousness.  Give  to  every  con- 
science an  inflexible  law  of  honesty.  And  let 
the  baneful  dominion  of  envy  be  expelled  by 
that  love  which  thinketh  and  speaketh  and 
worketh  no  ill  to  a  neighbor. 

Graciously  blot  out  our  transgressions,  lift  on 
us  the  light  of  thy  countenance  and  bestow  on 
us  eternal  salvation,  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 


DEPRECA  TIONS. 

AGAINST  ERROR,  EVIL,  FALSEHOOD,  FEAR  OF  MAN,  HYPOC- 
RISY AND  IDOLATRY. 

O  GOD  our  Helper,  we  come  to  thee  in  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ  to  offer  thee  that  petition 
which  he  taught  us, "  Deliver  us  from  evil."  Thy 
name,  O  God,  is  a  strong  tower;  the  righteous 
runneth  into  it  and  is  safe.  Blessed  Jesus,  who 
came  to  save  thy  people  from  their  sins,  do  thou 
keep  us  from  falling  and  present  us  faultless 
before  thy  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 


210  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Keep  us  from  error.  Oh,  let  not  ignorance 
nor  prejudice  nor  sin  obscure  or  prevent  what 
is  right  either  in  principle  or  practice.  Thou 
hast  taught  us  that  he  that  doeth  thy  will  shall 
know  the  truth ;  do  thou  give  us,  therefore, 
that  obedience  which  will  secure  this  blessing. 
Enable  us  to  detect  and  hate  and  shun  what  is 
false,  and  to  know  and  love  and  obey  the  truth 
in  good  report  and  in  evil  report. 

Keep  us  from  evil.  We  would  humbly  ask 
thee  to  protect  us  from  accident  and  pain  and 
bereavement  and  want  and  sickness  and  death. 
Yet  we  would  bow  to  thy  will  in  the  infliction 
of  these,  for  they  are  the  desert  of  our  sin,  and 
we  deserve,  instead  of  temporal  woe,  eternal 
wrath.  We  pray  chiefly  that  we  may  be  deliv- 
ered from  the  evil  of  sin,  that  its  dominion  in 
our  hearts  and  lives  may  be  overthrown,  and  that 
the  grace  that  bringeth  salvation  may  teach  us 
to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lust  and  live 
righteously  in  the  world. 

Keep  us  from  falsehood.  Let  no  love  of 
amusement  or  gain,  let  no  fear  of  man,  lead  us 
to  speak  or  do  anything  prejudicial  to  truth. 
May  we  love  it  and  maintain  it,  though  it  be  at 
the  present  sacrifice  of  interest.  Oh,  may  we 
remember  that  nothing  can  enter  the  holy  city 
that  maketh  or  loveth  a  lie,  and  that  the  lip  of 
truth  shall  be  established  for  ever. 

Keep  us  from  the  fear  of  man.     Let  no  dread 


DEPRECA  TIONS.  2 1 1 

of  the  opinions  or  reproaches  or  punishments 
of  men  lead  us  to  do  what  is  wrong  or  deter 
us  from  doing  what  is  right.  All  the  issues 
of  life  are  in  thy  hands,  and  we  shall  not  suffer 
in  any  wise  from  our  fellow-creatures  except  by 
thy  permission.  Thou  hast  taught  us  for  our  en- 
couragement and  warning  that  he  that  putteth 
his  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  safe,  while  the  fear 
of  man  bringeth  a  snare.  Lord,  be  thou  our 
shield  and  exceeding  great  reward. 

Keep  us  from  hypocrisy.  Oh,  let  us  not 
be  as  whited  sepulchres,  which  indeed  appear 
beautiful  without,  but  within  are  full  of  dead 
men's  bones  and  all  manner  of  uncleanness. 
May  we  consider  that  if  we  should  escape  the 
detection  of  men,  thou  searchest  the  heart  and 
triest  the  reins  and  knowest  every  evil  way  in  us. 
Let  not  our  prayer  go  out  of  feigned  lips,  but  may 
it  be  the  lifting  up  of  our  souls  unto  thee.  Make 
us  guileless  in  our  intercourse  with  mankind. 
Whatever  we  do,  may  we  do  it  heartily  as  unto 
the  Lord,  remembering  that  the  hope  of  the 
hypocrite  shall  perish  and  his  trust  be  as  the 
spider's  web,  while  light  is  sown  for  the  right- 
eous and  gladness  for  the  upright  in  heart. 

Keep  us  from  idolatrous  affections.  Oh,  let 
no  created  good  supplant  thy  dominion  in  our 
hearts.  Abase  in  our  hearts  everything  that 
exalteth  itself  against  thee.  Let  us  not  seek 
to  unite  the  service  of  God  and  mammon.  As- 


212  HOME    WORSHIP. 

sert  by  thy  Spirit  thy  supremacy  over  us  as  our 
Creator,  Preserver,  Benefactor,  Redeemer.  May 
we  regard  thy  favor  only  as  life,  and  thy  loving- 
kindness  as  better  than  life,  and  thy  blessing  as 
that  which  alone  maketh  rich  and  addeth  no 
sorrow  therewith.  May  we  ever  be  able  in 
sincerity  to  say,  "  Whom  have  we  in  heaven  but 
thee  ?  and  there  is  none  we  desire  on  earth  beside 
thee." 

Gracious  Lord,  overrule  and  overthrow  every 
form  of  error  in  the  world  and  let  the  truth  have 
free  course  and  be  glorified.  Give  deliverance 
to  the  human  race  from  every  evil.  Do  thou 
promote  truth  between  man  and  man  over  the 
whole  earth.  Oh,  let  not  men  fear  their  fellow- 
creatures,  who  have  power  at  the  utmost  only  to 
kill  the  body,  but  may  all  fear  thee,  who  hast 
power  to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell 
for  ever.  Rebuke  hypocrites  and  give  them 
repentance  ere  their  redemption  ceaseth,  when 
a  great  ransom  cannot  deliver  them.  And, 
O  God,  exalt  thyself  supremely  in  every  human 
heart,  that  each  may  acknowledge  thee  as  over 
all,  God  blessed  for  ever. 

Hear  us,  O  Lord,  in  thy  mercy  through  Jesus 
Christ.  For  his  sake  blot  out  all  our  transgres- 
sions and  receive  us  graciously,  and  the  praise 
of  every  blessing  shall  be  thine.  Amen. 


DEPRECATIONS.  2 13 

DEPRECA  TIONS. 

AGAINST  LUKEWARMNESS,  OSTENTATION,  PRIDE,  RESENTMENT, 
SELF- DECEPTION,  SELFISHNESS  AND  UNBELIEF. 

O  THOU  that  hearest  prayer,  unto  thee  shall  all 
flesh  come.  We  thank  thee  for  the  promise  that 
he  who  cometh  unto  thee  thou  wilt  in  no  wise 
cast  out.  Oh,  fulfill  unto  us  thy  word  that  thou 
dost  save  unto  the  uttermost  those  who  come 
unto  thee  by  Christ,  for  it  is  in  the  shelter  of  his 
atonement,  it  is  in  the  merits  of  his  righteous- 
ness, it  is  in  the  prevalence  of  his  intercession, 
we  present  ourselves.  Blessed  Jesus,  be  thou  our 
Saviour  from  the  power  of  sin. 

O  Lord,  we  come  to  seek  deliverance  from 
lukevvarmness  in  our  religious  duties.  Suffer 
no  indolence  or  selfishness  of  spirit,  no  worldly- 
mindedness  or  allurement  of  Satan,  to  abate  our 
religious  feelings  or  energies.  Teach  us  our 
obligations  to  thee  and  the  value  of  our  eternal 
interests,  and  lead  us  to  act  in  relation  to  them 
with  a  fervent  spirit.  Oh,  may  thy  Spirit  that 
quickeneth  give  us  such  spiritual  life  that  we 
may  mount  up  as  on  eagle's  wings,  run  and  not 
be  weary,  walk  and  not  faint,  and  always  abound 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

Deliver  us,  O  Lord,  from  ostentation  both  in  our 
secular  and  religious  duties.  Let  us  not  do  any- 
thing merely  to  be  seen  of  men.  All  that  we 
are,  all  that  we  can  be,  all  that  \ve  can  do,  we 


214  HOME    WORSHIP. 

owe  to  thy  wisdom,  power  and  meicy.  We 
pray  that  the  love  of  human  applause  and  the 
fear  of  human  censure  may  be  controlled  and 
subdued  by  a  sense  of  responsibility  to  thee. 
Oh,  let  us  do  nothing  through  vainglory,  re- 
membering thy  commandment,  "  Let  him  that 
glorieth  glory  in  the  Lord." 

O  Lord,  deliver  us  from  pride.  Oh,  why  should 
we  need  to  deprecate  this  evil  ?  Lo !  we  are 
ignorant,  helpless  and  sinful,  and  there  is  noth- 
ing in  us  to  warrant  self-exaltation,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  much  to  mortify  and  abase  us.  And 
yet  it  is  the  besetting  sin  of  every  heart.  Lord, 
give  us  release  from  its  power.  Oh,  give  us  such 
views  of  thine  exaltation  and  our  abasement,  of 
thy  majesty  and  our  blameworthiness,  as  shall 
check  and  expel  every  rising  sentiment  of  pride. 
Oh,  let  the  warnings  of  thy  word  against  this 
sin  and  thy  promises  to  the  humble  be  blessed 
of  thy  Spirit  for  our  redemption  from  its  foolish 
and  wicked  power,  so  that  we  may  be  even 
as  little  children,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

Deliver  us,  O  Lord,  from  feelings  of  resentment. 
May  we  remember  thy  long-suffering  toward  the 
contradiction  of  sinners,  and  the  example  of  Him 
who  when  he  suffered  threatened  not,  but  com- 
mitted himself  to  Him  that  judgeth  righteously, 
and  also  the  condition  that  unless  we  forgive 
others  thou  wilt  not  forgive  us.  Oh,  give  us 


DEPRECATIONS.  21$ 

that  spirit  of  love  which  even  amidst  injury 
worketh  no  harm  to  its  neighbor,  but,  contrari- 
wise, blessing. 

Deliver  us  from  self-deception.  Let  us  not 
in  anything  think  more  highly  of  ourselves 
than  we  ought  to  think.  But  especially  let  us 
not  cherish  the  hope  of  eternal  life  if  our  course 
is  downward  to  eternal  death.  Oh,  if  there  lies 
any  film  of  deceit  on  our  eyes  or  mist  of  delu- 
sion on  our  souls,  take  it  away  that  we  may  see 
our  sins  and  feel  our  danger  and  flee  for  refuge 
to  that  Rock  which  is  higher  than  we.  Lord,  let 
our  hope  be  only  that  of  the  gospel,  an  anchor 
of  the  soul,  sure  and  steadfast.  Lord,  deliver  us 
from  selfishness.  Let  us  not  set  an  undue  esti- 
mate or  exercise  an  undue  solicitude  upon  our 
own  interests.  We  would  remember  that  thou 
hast  taught  us  we  should  not  look  on  our  own 
things,  but  every  man  also  on  the  things  of 
others,  for  they  all  have  a  like  concern  with  us 
of  comfort  and  well-being  in  the  pursuits  of  life. 
Thou  hast  shown  us  that  he  who  would  follow 
Jesus  must  deny  himself;  let  us  not,  therefore, 
live  unto  ourselves,  but  may  we  do  good  and 
communicate,  for  with  such  sacrifices  thou  art 
well  pleased. 

O  Lord,  deliver  us  from  unbelief.  Let  not 
ours  be  the  doom  of  him  who  believ^th  not  and 
is  condemned  already.  Or  if  we  have  in  any 
measure  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  let  it  never  be 


2l6  HOME    WORSHIP. 

eclipsed  in  any  degree  by  the  influence  of  this 
evil.  Oh,  let  us  not  dishonor  thee,  nor  shut  out 
the  light  of  thy  countenance,  nor  bring  desola- 
tion upon  our  hopes,  nor  paralyze  our  zeal  in 
well-doing,  nor  provoke  thy  wrath  by  any  indul- 
gence in  this  sin.  But  oh,  may  the  eye  of  our 
faith  be  clear  and  steadfast,  that  we  may  ever- 
more believe  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness. 
Lord,  we  would  believe  ;  help  thou  our  unbelief. 

O  God,  strengthen  us  with  might  by  thy  Spirit 
that  we  may  thus  come  off  conquerors  in  all  our 
contests  with  these  evils,  but  oh,  wherein  we  fail 
do  thou  mercifully  forgive  in  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


SABBA  TH  MORNING. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  hast  commanded  us,  saying, 
"  Seek  ye  my  face."  Thy  face,  Lord,  we  will 
seek,  and  oh,  as  thou  art  now  pouring  on  the 
earth  the  refreshing  light  of  morning,  so  do  thou 
in  our  approach  to  thee  lift  upon  us  the  light  of 
thy  countenance  and  shine  into  our  hearts  to  give 
us  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory  in  the 
face  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  it  is  in  his  merits  we 
would  seek  acceptance  and  in  his  name  we  offer 
our  petitions. 

O  Lord,  we  lift  up  again  to  thee  our  voice  of 
thanksgiving  for  renewed  mercy.  We  thank  thee 


SABBATH  MORNING.  2 1/ 

that  thou  hast  not  cut  us  off  as  cumberers  of  the 
ground,  but  hast  given  us  another  week  of  pro- 
bation and  hast  brought  us  again  under  the  gra- 
cious influence  of  the  Sabbath.  We  bless  thee, 
O  God,  for  this  day  of  rest  from  earthly  toil,  and 
of  fellowship  with  thy  people  in  solemn  worship, 
and  of  meditation  on  our  character  and  duties, 
and  of  communion  with  thee,  the  Father  of  spirits. 
We  pray  that  no  thoughts  of  worldly  pleasure  or 
honor  or  riches  may  intrude  upon  us  this  day. 
We  pray  that  we  may  not  be  debarred  from,  the 
privilege  of  meeting  with  thy  people  in  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  while  there  may  we  sing  thy  praises, 
making  melody  in  our  hearts  unto  the  Lord,  in 
prayer  lifting  up  in  fervency  and  faith  our  desires 
unto  thee,  attending  to  thy  word  with  diligence, 
preparation  and  prayer,  receiving  it  with  faith 
and  love,  laying  it  up  in  our  hearts  that  we  may 
practice  it  in  our  lives.  We  pray  that  those  por- 
tions of  this  day  which  we  may  pass  at  home 
may  be  spent  in  the  spirit  of  thy  commandment. 
"  Remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy." 
Suffer  us  not  in  our  household  intercourse  to 
break  this  statute  by  word  or  deed,  but  let  there 
be  a  savor  in  our  speech  and  actions  in  sacred 
harmony  with  this  consecrated  day.  We  pray 
that  our  minds  may  be  directed  to  such  themes 
of  meditation  and  reading  as  will  sanctify  our 
spirits  and  quicken  us  in  the  Christian  life.  And 
we  pray  that  we  may  enjoy  a  spirit  of  supplica- 


2l8  HOME    WORSHIP. 

tion  before  thee  this  day,  with  reverence  and 
confidence  and  importunity  seeking  thy  bless- 
ing on  ourselves  and  on  thy  Church  and  on  a 
perishing  world. 

Lord,  bless  those  who  shall  minister  in  holy 
things  this  day.  Give  them  the  unction  of 
the  Holy  One.  Let  the  love  of  God  and  of 
truth  and  of  souls  animate  them  in  all  the  duties 
of  the  sanctuary.  Give  them  wisdom  to  under- 
stand and  zeal  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of 
God.  Oh,  may  they,  as  they  stand  between  the 
living  and  the  dead,  encourage  thy  people  in  the 
narrow  way  of  righteousness  and  salvation  and 
warn  the  ungodly  to  flee  from  the  broad  way  of 
sin  and  death.  Oh,  give  them  a  precious  reward 
for  their  labor  in  beholding  thy  people  quickened 
according  to  thy  word,  in  being  instruments  of 
converting  sinners  unto  thee,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  gospel-blessings  in  their  own  souls,  and  in 
the  reward  of  those  that  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament  and  as  the  stars  for  ever. 

O  Lord,  bless  thy  people  this  day.  Let  the 
worship  they  shall  offer  thee  be  full  of  faith  and 
fervency,  and  be  answered  by  blessings  on  them- 
selves and  others.  Let  the  truth  they  hear  in- 
struct and  quicken  and  sanctify  them,  that  they 
may  cry  out,  "  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles, 
O  Lord  of  hosts  !  A  day  in  thy  courts  is  better 
than  a  thousand.  We  had  rather  be  doorkeepers 
in  thy  house  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wick- 


SABBATH  MORNING.  21 9 

edness."  Make  their  necessary  household  and 
social  intercourse  this  day  consistent  with  holy 
time  and  mutually  profitable  for  Sabbath-day 
blessings.  Let  thy  testimonies  and  works  and 
ways  be  their  meditation.  And,  O  Thou  that  seest 
in  secret,  but  rewardest  openly,  may  they  en- 
ter into  their  closet  and  enjoy  to-day  precious 
seasons  of  communion  with  thee,  the  Father  of 
spirits. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  pray  that  thy  precept, 
"  Remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy," 
may  have  unwonted  power  over  the  consciences 
and  conduct  of  the  impenitent.  Oh,  let  an  in- 
creased number  of  the  careless  and  ungodly  be 
gathered  at  this  time  into  thy  sanctuaries.  May 
they  join  in  every  service  with  respect  and  seri- 
ousness and  listen  to  the  preached  word  with 
attention  and  conviction.  Oh,  let  the  truth  be 
seasonable  to  every  mind,  and  be  to  many  a  savor 
of  life  unto  life.  Gracious  God,  send  thy  Spirit 
into  every  assembly,  that  the  careless  may  be 
alarmed  and  the  impenitent  convicted  and  the 
stubborn  subdued,  so  that  in  every  temple  of 
God  souls  may  be  converted  to  thte  and  this 
be  a  day  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High. 
Amen. 


22O  HOME   WORSHIP. 


SABBA  TH  MORNING. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  thank  thee  for  the  mercies 
of  the  last  week,  that  thou  hast  nurtured  and  pro- 
tected us,  so  that  we  behold  the  light  of  another 
Sabbath  in  peace  and  comfort.  We  come  now 
to  thee  in  the  name  of  our  Mediator  and  Advo- 
cate for  that  frame  of  spirit  which  becomes  this 
sacred  season,  and  for  those  blessings  which  the 
proper  use  of  these  consecrated  hours  will  se- 
cure to  us. 

We  beseech  thee  to  enable  us  to  remember  the 
Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy.  In  six  days  thou 
didst  make  heaven,  earth  and  sea,  and  didst  rest 
the  seventh  day;  wherefore  thou  hast  blessed 
the  Sabbath  and  hallowed  it.  We  thank  thee, 
God  of  mercy,  for  this  consecrated  season,  in 
which  thou  givest  rest  to  our  wearied  natures 
and  affordest  us  leisure  for  reflection  on  our 
duties  in  this  world  and  our  destinies -in  the 
world  to  come.  We  thank  thee  for  its  privileges 
of  praise  and  of  prayer  and  of  instruction,  by 
which  thy  saints  are  built  up  in  faith  and  zeal 
and  sinners  are  brought  from  the  darkness  and 
iniquity  of  carnal  nature  to  the  light  and  holiness 
of  heavenly  grace.  We  would  praise  thee  that 
there  still  remaineth  this  rest  for  the  people  of 
God.  Thou  hast  made  the  Sabbath  for  man,  and 
thou  hast  abolished  neither  its  privileges  nor 


SABBATH  MORNING.  221 

duties,  but  wilt  continue  them  down  to  the  end 
of  the  world. 

Oh  that  we  might  always  be  in  the  spirit  on  the 
Lord's  day.  May  we  remember  that  thou  hast 
given  us  six  days  of  the  week  for  our  own  em- 
ployments and  hast  challenged  a  special  own- 
ership of  the  seventh,  and  that  thou  hast  given  it 
the  sanction  of  thine  own  example  and  blessing. 
Oh,  let  us  not  profane  that  holy  time  by  idleness, 
nor  by  doing  that  which  in  itself  is  sinful,  nor 
by  unnecessary  thoughts,  words  or  works  about 
worldly  employments  or  recreations.  May  we 
sanctify  it  by  a  holy  resting,  even  from  such 
avocations  as  are  lawful  on  other  days,  and  spend 
all  its  sacred  hours  in  the  public  and  private  ex- 
ercises of  thy  worship,  except  so  much  as  must 
be  taken  up  in  the  works  of  necessity  and  mercy. 
Oh,  let  this  day  ever  be  a  precious  occasion, 
wherein  thy  love  shall  be  richly  manifested  to  us 
and  our  affections  hold  free  and  holy  and  rejoi- 
cing communion  with  thy  Spirit  May  we  be 
prepared  by  its  sanctifying  duties  and  reviving 
pleasures  for  serving  thee  and  mankind  better 
in  all  the  relations  of  life.  Oh,  make  it  a  blessed 
type  of  that  eternal  Sabbath  which  is  reserved 
for  the  pure  in  heart  in  the  regions  of  unmingled 
bliss. 

Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  save  this  holy  day  from 
the  desecration  which  has  been  so  fearfully 
brought  upon  it.  Thou  seest  how  men  pursue 


222  HOME    WORSHIP. 

on  it  their  carnal  pleasures  and  worldly  interests 
regardless  of  thy  statutes  and  the  ultimate  wel- 
fare of  their  country  and  of  mankind.  Even 
those  who  have  made  a  covenant  with  thee  by 
sacrifice  sometimes  join  hand  in  hand  with  the 
ungodly  in  these  profanations  of  sacred  time. 
Oh  that  thy  people  would  set  their  faces  as  flint 
against  these  transgressions  and  bear  the  testi- 
mony of  their  voice  and  conduct  against  them. 
Bring  not  thy  wrath  upon  our  land  because  its 
inhabitants  make  the  Sabbath  their  season  of 
amusement,  convenience  and  gain.  Oh,  teach 
all  men  that  it  is  thy  will  that  they  sanctify  that 
day,  and  that  thou  hast  judgments  in  store  for  its 
transgressors ;  whilst  they  who  turn  away  their 
feet  from  polluting  it  and  from  doing  their  pleas- 
ure upon  it,  and  who  shall  call  the  Sabbath 
a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honorable, 
shall  be  fed  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob,  for  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

Lord,  bless,  we  pray  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
thy  preached  word  this  day.  Give  wisdom,  grace 
and  fervor  to  those  who  shall  be  called  to  preach 
the  words  of  life.  Let  not  thy  word  be  as  the 
seed  which  fell  by  the  wayside,  nor  as  that  which 
fell  on  stony  ground,  nor  as  that  which  fell  among 
thorns,  but  as  that  which  fell  upon  good  ground. 
Oh,  do  thou  seal  instruction  upon  every  heart. 
Teach  the  ignorant,  arouse  the  careless,  alarm 
the  stupid,  turn  the  gainsaying,  melt  the  hard- 


SABBATH  MORNING.  223 

ened,  sanctify  the  unholy,  encourage  the  timid, 
strengthen  the  zealous,  and  let  grace,  mercy  and 
peace  rest  upon  every  worshiping  assembly. 

O  Lord,  we  humbly  pray  in  Christ's  name  for 
the  remission  of  all  our  sins,  and  for  a  new  and 
sanctified  consecration  of  ourselves  to  thee  for 
time  and  eternity.  Amen. 


SABBA  TH  MORNING. 

LORD  of  the  Sabbath,  we  thank  thee  for  another 
of  the  days  of  the  Son  of  man.  Oh,  let  it  be 
like  the  sun  which  brings  it,  a  messenger  of  light 
and  joy  to  the  world.  We  thank  thee  for  its 
abundant  blessings  to  us  in  times  past,  and  we 
supplicate  thee  that  its  return  to-day  may  bring  us 
new  and  increasing  benefits.  But  we  have  come 
to  thee  this  morning  in  the  name  of  Jesus  to 
plead  specially  for  thy  blessing  on  thy  word  as 
it  shall  be  preached  to  those  to  whom  the  Sab- 
bath has  never  yet  come  with  sanctifying  and 
saving  power. 

O  Lord,  let  the  ministrations  of  thy  house  this 
day  instruct  the  ignorant.  Oh,  gather  into  thy 
courts  many  who  have  kept  away  from  instruc- 
tion until  their  foolish  hearts  are  darkened,  and 
who  live  in  a  land  of  gospel  light  in  almost 
heathenish  ignorance  of  religious  truth  and  duty. 


224  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Oh  that  they  might  incline  their  ears  to  wisdom 
and  apply  their  hearts  to  understanding.  And, 
Lord,  we  pray  that  thou  wouldst  instruct  by  thy 
truth  this  day  those  who  sit  from  Sabbath  to 
Sabbath  under  the  gospel  with  ears  that  hear  not 
and  hearts  that  perceive  not  the  truth.  Oh,  dis- 
pel their  listlessness  and  vagrancy  of  mind,  and 
let  scores  and  hundreds  of  unthinking  hearers 
be  made  wise  unto  salvation. 

Let  the  ministrations  of  thy  house  this  day 
arrest  the  careless  and  bring  them  to  an  anx- 
ious inquiry  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved. 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  the  corrupting  cares  of 
earth  absorb  the  solicitude  of  beings  whom  thou 
hast  made  in  the  image  of  thine  eternity,  who  are 
living  in  a  state  of  trial  for  an  endless  life,  on  whom 
condemnation  for  sin  even  now  rests,  whose 
days  on  earth  are  a  shadow,  and  who,  if  death 
finds  them  unconverted,  must  dwell  with  ever- 
lasting burnings  ?  O  God,  startle  the  deep  anx- 
ieties of  their  souls.  Make  them  cry  out  in 
anguish  of  spirit,  "Men  and  brethren,  what  shall 
we  do  ?"  And  make  the  way  of  truth  so  plain, 
so  clear,  to  them  that  by  thy  grace  they  may 
believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  be  saved. 

O  Lord,  alarm  this  day  stupid  sinners  whose 
consciences  are  seared  as  with  a  hot  iron.  Lo  ! 
the  creatures  whom  thou  hast  made  to  know  thy 
name  and  love  thy  character  and  enjoy  thy  bounty 
and  do  thy  will  live  almost  as  heedless  of  thee  as 


SABBATH  MORNING.  22$ 

the  brutes  that  perish.  Lord,  awake  such  speed- 
ily from  their  guilty  and  degrading  and  ruinous 
stupor.  Arouse  them  by  thy  Spirit  to  a  sense 
of  their  sin  and  misery  and  danger,  and  give 
them  newness  of  life  through  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ 

O  Lord,  convince  the  gainsaying.  Oh  that  those 
who  doubt  or  deny  or  oppose  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus  might  have  every  thought  of  their  hearts 
brought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 
Thou  hast  magnified  thy  mercy  in  sparing  these 
scoffers  and  blasphemers.  Thou  hast  glorified 
the  truth  in  those  defences  of  religion  which 
have  restrained  the  influences  of  infidelity.  Lord, 
magnify  thy  name,  and  with  increasing  glory,  by 
turning  th  s  unbelief  to  faith  and  this  scorn  to 
praise  and  this  hatred  to  love. 

Subdue  the  hardened.  Let  thy  word  this 
day  be  as  a  fire  that  melteth  and  as  a  hammer 
that  break«:th  the  rock.  Oh,  there  is  no  heart  so 
stony  but  thou  canst  turn  it  into  a  heart  of  flesh  ; 
there  is  no  will  so  stubborn  but  thou  canst  make 
it  pliant.  To  thee  they  are  all  as  clay  in  the 
hands  of  the  potter.  Gracious  God,  make  them 
examples  of  tender-hearted  submission  to  thy 
will. 

Sanctify  the  unholy.  Let  the  great  commis- 
sion of  thy  Spirit  to  convince  men  of  sin  be  con- 
summated in  all  thy  sanctuaries  this  day.  Let 
penitence  work  in  every  heart  May  the  grace 

15 


226  HOME    WORSHIP. 

that  bringeth  salvation  teach  men  to  deny  ungod- 
liness. Make  them  clean  through  the  word  that 
shall  be  spoken  to  them.  Sanctify  them  by  thy 
truth  :  thy  word  is  truth. 

O  Lord,  encourage  the  timid.  If  there  be  any 
who  halt  between  two  opinions  and  tremble  to 
choose  the  Lord  lest  he  should  not  choose  them, 
assure  them  that  whosoever  cometh  unto  thee  thou 
wilt  in  no  wise  cast  out.  If  there  be  any  who 
have  made  a  covenant  with  thee  by  sacrifice,  but 
whose  hope  of  acceptance  is  disturbed  by  fears, 
enable  them  this  day  to  know  Him  whom  they 
have  believed. 

Strengthen  the  zealous.  Refresh  and  increase 
their  knowledge  of  truth  and  duty.  Give  them 
new  motives  to  obedience  and  new  purposes  of 
well-doing.  While  they  strive  to  work  out  their 
own  salvation,  make  them  zealous  of  good  works 
toward  a  perishing  world  and  instruments  for 
its  redemption  from  woe  to  bliss. 

O  Lord,  we  humbly  and  earnestly  pray  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  that  thy  preached  word  may  have 
free  course  everywhere  and  be  glorified.  May 
it  benefit  our  souls  in  all  our  spiritual  wants. 
And  the  praise  of  all  shall  be  thine  for  ever. 
Amen. 


SABBATH  EVENING.  22/ 

SABBATH  EVENING. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  we  have  come  to  thee 
this  night  to  thank  thee  for  the  privileges  of  this 
day.  Oh,  let  the  meditations  of  our  hearts  and 
the  words  of  our  mouths  be  acceptable  to  thee 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Redeemer,  who  is  Lord 
of  the  Sabbath. 

Gracious  God,  we  acknowledge  thy  distinguish- 
ing mercy  in  making  us  partakers  of  Sabbath-day 
blessings.  Though  this  day  has  come  with  the 
light  of  the  sun  upon  all  the  tribes  of  earth,  yet 
it  has  brought  no  dayspring  from  on  high  of 
spiritual  blessings  to  many,  very  many,  nations 
of  the  world.  For,  lo  !  in  thine  inscrutable  wis- 
dom they  dwell  in  the  shadow  of  death.  Thou 
hast  not  withheld  from  them  any  right  or  done 
them  any  injustice,  and  in  that  day  when  thou 
wilt  justify  thy  ways  to  men  we  all  shall  see 
and  own  that  justice  as  well  as  judgment  is  the 
habitation  of  thy  throne.  But  any  privileges 
above  them  which  we  are  permitted  to  enjoy 
we  humbly  and  thankfully  acknowledge  to  be 
the  fruits  of  free,  sovereign,  distinguishing,  un- 
merited grace. 

Give  us  now  an  abiding  conviction  that  these 
repeated  and  increasing  mercies  demand  repeat- 
ed and  increasing  exercises  of  thanksgiving  and 
acts  of  obedience.  Thou  hast  taught  us  that 
thou  wilt  require  much  of  him  to  whom  thou 


228  HOME    WORSHIP. 

hast  given  much,  and  that  he  who  knows  his  mas- 
ter's will,  but  does  it  not,  shall  be  beaten  with 
many  stripes.  Oh,  let  not  this  condemnation 
rest  upon  us  ;  let  not  these  Sabbaths  be  so  neg- 
lected or  abused  as  to  prove  witnesses  against 
us,  either  in  thy  dispensations  of  justice  on  the 
earth  or  in  thy  retributions  in  the  world  to  come. 
But  may  we  use  them  so  diligently  that  we  shall 
continually  grow  in  grace  and  in  meetness  for  the 
heavenly  Sabbath — that  rest  which  remaineth  for 
the  people  of  God. 

O  Lord,  let  thy  blessing  rest  upon  the  services 
of  this  Sabbath.  Hear  and  answer  the  supplica- 
tions which  have  this  day  gone  up  from  the  closet 
sacrifice  and  from  the  family  altar  and  from  the 
temple-offering.  Wherever  thy  word  has  been 
read  in  retirement  or  among  the  household  let 
it  be  a  savor  of  knowledge  and  life.  Let  thy  life- 
giving  favor  abide  upon  those  whose  meditations 
have  been  heavenward.  But  chiefly  we  desire 
that  thy  blessing  may  rest  with  unwonted  power 
upon  thy  preached  word.  Make  it  an  effectual 
means  of  convincing  and  converting  sinners  and 
building  them  up  in  holiness  and  comfort  through 
faith  unto  salvation.  Thou  hast  indeed  put  this 
treasure  in  earthen  vessels  that  the  excellency 
might  be  of  God.  We  seek  not  the  glory  of 
any  human  instruments,  but  do  thou  honor  thy 
power  in  using  them  as  means  for  human  salva- 
tion. Oh,  let  not  the  truths  which  have  been 


SABBATH  EVENING.  22Q 

spoken  be  lost  in  the  air  like  the  sounds  which 
uttered  them,  but  let  them  be  so  commended 
by  thy  Spirit  to  those  who  heard  them  that  they 
shall  be  impressed  on  their  reason  and  memory 
and  will  and  conscience  and  affection,  convincing 
the  impenitent  of  the  'enormous  guilt  of  their 
transgression,  showing  them  the  fearful  danger 
of  their  rebellion,  inclining  them  to  deep  repent- 
ance for  their  wickedness,  displaying  to  them 
the  countless  riches  of  salvation  in  Jesus,  and 
persuading  them  to  a  saving  faith  in  his  precious 
atonement.  Lord,  let  this  Sabbath  be  signalized 
in  the  history  of  man's  redemption  by  manifold 
displays  of  converting  grace. 

O  Lord,  we  humbly  invoke  thy  blessing  in  be- 
half of  those  who  profess  thy  name.  Let  thy 
word  be  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  of  their 
hearts.  If  any  have  been  deceived  by  a  name 
to  live,  reveal  to  them  their  true  character  and 
give  them  repentance  and  remission  and  a  new 
and  sanctified  and  unreserved  consecration  of 
themselves  to  Christ,  and  let  none  such  be  suf- 
fered to  draw  back  to  perdition,  but  be  enabled 
to  believe  unto  the  saving  of  their  souls. 

O  Lord,  let  rich  and  rejoicing  and  everlasting 
blessings  follow  thy  truth  in  the  hearts  of  all  who 
belong  to  the  commonwealth  of  Israel  and  the 
covenant  of  promise.  Let  it  increase  their  know- 
ledge and  strengthen  their  faith  and  elevate  their 
hope  and  inflame  their  love  and  quicken  their 


230  HOME    WORSHIP. 

zeal.  Let  this  Sabbath  send  its  influence  upon 
their  character  and  conduct  through  the  coming 
week,  and  onward  through  life  and  upward 
through  eternity. 

Forgive  wherein  we  have  thought  or  said  or 
done  amiss  this  day.  Pardon  the  sins  of  our 
holy  services.  Blot  out  all  our  transgressions  of 
every  kind  and  degree.  Make  us  clean  through 
the  word  thou  hast  spoken  unto  us.  Sanctify  us 
by  thy  truth :  thy  word  is  truth.  And  thine, 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit  shall  be  the  praise.  Amen. 


SABBATH  EVENING. 

O  LORD,  the  eyes  of  all  are  unto  thee,  and  thou 
givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season  ;  thou  open- 
est  thy  hand  and  satisfiest  the  desires  of  every 
living  thing.  But  if  thy  care  and  compassion 
are  thus  exercised  toward  our  temporal  wants, 
may  we  not  hope  that  when  our  desires  for  spirit- 
ual favors  are  directed  to  thee  thou  wilt  satisfy 
them?  Nay,  thou  hast  told  us  that  if  we  seek 
thy  kingdom  and  righteousness  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  to  us.  Give  us,  therefore,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus,  a  gracious  acceptance  while  we 
seek  thy  blessing  upon  this  Sabbath. 

We  mourn  before  thee,  O  God,  that  there  are 
any  around  us  (and,  alas !  how  many  there  are !) 
who  have  forgotten  to  remember  this  Sabbath- 


SABBA  TH  E  VEXING.  23 1 

day  to  keep  it  holy,  and  who,  whilst  thou  hast 
been  giving  them  its  sacred  hours  that  they 
might  learn  repentance  and  faith  and  salvation, 
have  sought  their  own  pleasure  and  dishonored 
this  day  and  offended  God.  Lord,  arouse  them 
by  a  conviction  of  their  folly  and  guilt,  incline 
them  to  forsake  their  profanations,  and  lead  them 
to  a  consecration  of  this  blessed  season  to  thy 
service.  And  we  ask  this  result  not  only  for 
those  around  us,  but  for  Sabbath-breakers  every- 
where. Wherever  this  iniquity  has  been  framed 
by  law  let  it  be  blotted  from  the  statute-book, 
and  let  this  people  and  every  other  so  act  in 
their  national  and  individual  relations  as  to  re- 
ceive the  promised  blessing  of  those  who  keep 
thy  Sabbath  from  polluting  it 

We  thank  thee.  O  Lord,  for  the  multitudes  who 
have  been  gathered  this  day  into  thy  courts  for 
thy  worship.  Though  this  earth  is  a  degenerate, 
apostate,  rebellious  world,  yet  in  these  precious 
Sabbaths  we  behold  the  hope  of  its  recovery  to 
God.  We  thank  thee  for  those  ministrations  in 
which  we  have  shared  this  day.  Forgive  where- 
in we  have  been  thoughtless  or  irreverent.  Re- 
member those  praises  which  we  sung  to  thy 
name.  Oh,  give  us  an  increasing  impression  of 
thine  excellence,  so  that  these  ascriptions  of 
honor  may  be  the  honest  expressions  of  our 
hearts.  Remember  the  prayers  we  offer  to  thee 
in  thy  house.  Answer  them,  we  beseech  thee. 


232  HOME    WORSHIP. 

according  to  thy  merciful  wisdom  and  our  rea. 
wants.  Bless  unto  us  thy  preached  word,  and 
make  it  profitable  to  us  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  correction  and  for  instruction  in  righteousness. 

Sanctify  us  unto  all  our  domestic  and  private 
use  of  this  day.  If  we  have  been  led  into 
thoughts  or  words  or  works  inconsistent  with 
it,  forgive  us  and  grant  us  purposes  of  new 
obedience  in  keeping  it  holy.  Let  the  truths  and 
duties  on  which  we  have  conferred  and  read  and 
meditated,  and  about  which  we  have  prayed,  be 
treasured  in  our  hearts  and  practiced  in  our 
lives. 

Let  gracious  influences  abide  upon  all  who 
this  day  have  sat  under  the  droppings  of  thy 
sanctuary.  Oh,  let  not  its  words  of  praise  and 
prayer  and  instruction  be  as  sounds  that  die  in 
the  air,  or  as  water  that  is  spilled  on  the  ground 
and  cannot  be  gathered.  Let  them  not  be  swift 
witnesses  against  any  for  neglect  or  perversion 
or  gainsaying.  Make  them  in  every  congrega- 
tion a  savor  of  life  unto  life,  rejoicing  and  quick- 
ening the  hearts  of  thy  people,  convincing  and 
converting  sinners,  and  adding  to  thy  Church 
many  of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 

O  Lord,  we  ask  thy  blessing  upon  the  instruc- 
tion given  this  day  in  Sunday-schools.  Let  every 
faithful  teacher  carry  in  his  own  bosom  a  reward 
for  his  labor  of  love,  and  come  back  to  it  with 
renewed  and  enlarged  zeal  and  knowledge  and 


THE    WORD   OF  GOD.  233 

prayerfulness.  If  any  have  been  unfaithful  in 
their  work,  show  them  their  delinquency,  give 
them  repentance  for  it,  and  bring  them  again  to 
their  duty  resolved  in  thy  strength  to  seek  thf 
blessing  of  those  whom,  being  faithful  over  a  fev 
things,  thou  wilt  make  rulers  over  many  things 
Lord,  seal  instruction  upon  the  youthful  mind 
May  they  acknowledge  thy  claims  upon  theii 
hearts,  and  now,  while  they  are  in  the  dew  of 
their  youth,  and  before  the  evil  days  come,  may 
they  remember  their  Creator  and  serve  thee  in 
newness  of  life. 

Gracious  God,  we  beseech  thee  to  grant  us  thy 
favor  in  all  the  things  thou  seest  we  need.  If 
we  ask  amiss,  forgive ;  if  we  fail  to  ask,  bestow ; 
and  let  our  persons  and  services  be  accepted 
before  thee  in  Jesus  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 


THE  WORD  OF  GOD. 

IN    ITS    ISSTMCTING,    CONVINCING,    CONVERTING,    REJOICING, 

QUICKENING  AND  SAXCTTFTING  INFLUENCES. 
To  whom,  O  Lord,  shall  we  go  but  unto  thee? 
Thou  only  hast  the  words  of  life.  We  bless 
thee  that  in  compassion  upon  our  ignorance  and 
apostasy  thou  hast  revealed  them  unto  us  in  the 
Scriptures.  We  would  come  to  thee  with  thanks- 
giving for  that  boon,  and  with  supplication  that 


234  HOME    WORSHIP. 

we  may  receive  the  help  of  thy  Spirit  through 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  appreciate  and  improve 
that  priceless  gift. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  that  the  Scripture  given 
by  inspiration  is  profitable  to  us  for  instruction. 
Thy  testimonies  are  sure,  making  wise  the  sim- 
ple ;  thy  commandment  is  pure,  enlightening  the 
eyes.  Without  it  we  have  been  as  the  nations 
who  think  that  the  Godhead  is  like  unto  gold  or 
silver  or  stone,  graven  by  art  and  man's  device, 
and  we,  like  them,  had  lived  without  God  and 
hope  in  the  world.  Lord,  open  thou  our  eyes 
that  we  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy 
law.  Oh  that  it  may  keep  us  from  every  error 
and  guide  us  into  every  truth.  Let  thy  word 
dwell  in  us  richly  in  all  wisdom.  And,  Lord, 
make  all  men  partakers  of  the  truth.  Direct  by 
its  pure  light  every  Christian  pilgrim  as  he  goes 
through  this  wilderness-world.  Let  its  counsels 
of  repentance  and  faith  teach  and  win  all  who 
inquire  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved.  Let  thy 
word  have  free  course  and  reach  every  benighted 
heart,  whether  dwelling  in  gospel  lands  or  in  the 
region  and  shadow  of  death. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  convincing  pow- 
er of  thy  word.  Oh,  let  it  be  for  each  of  us  a  dis- 
cerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart, 
revealing  to  us  the  power  of  the  world,  the  flesh 
and  the  devil  in  our  natures,  and  showing  us  our 
sins  in  all  their  number  and  wickedness,  until  we 


THE  WORD   OF  GOD.  235 

shall  turn  from  them  with  repentance  and  new 
obedience.  Lord,  let  the  secrets  of  every  heart 
be  made  manifest  by  the  truth.  May  thy  Spirit 
speedily  fulfill  by  it  his  great  work  of  convincing 
men  of  sin,  of  righteousness  and  of  judgment  to 
come,  so  that  every  transgressor  on  earth  may 
know  his  rebellion  against  God,  and  the  atone- 
ment thou  hast,  made  for  sin.  and  the  retribution 
of  that  great  day  when  the  righteous  shall  be 
received  into  eternal  life  and  the  wicked  be 
driven  away  into  everlasting  death. 

Lord,  we  bless  thee  that  thy  law  is  perfect,  con- 
verting the  soul.  If  we  have  been  made  by  it, 
through  the  Spirit,  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus, 
let  all  its  renewing  power  be  felt  by  us,  redeem- 
ing us  from  every  remnant  of  conformity  to  the 
world  and  transforming  us  into  thine  own  image. 
But  if  we  have  only  a  name  to  live,  or  if  we  are 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  oh  quicken  us  by  it 
into  newness  of  life.  Lord,  gather  new  trophies 
of  honor  to  thy  name  and  to  thy  word  of  truth 
by  making  it  the  instrument  of  the  conversion 
of  many  souls,  who  shall  be  born  again,  not  of 
corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible ;  by  the 
word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  made  thy 
word  precious  to  every  believer.  Oh,  let  thy 
statutes  be  our  songs  in  the  house  of  our  pil- 
grimage. Let  the  law  of  thy  mouth  be  better 
to  us  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  May 


236  HOME    WORSHIP, 

we  take  thy  testimonies  as  our  heritage  for  ever, 
and  oh,  remember  unto  us  thy  word,  upon  which 
thou  hast  caused  us  to  hope,  thy  promises  that 
thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  unto  us  as  thou  dost 
not  unto  the  world,  and  that  thy  rod  and  staff 
shall  comfort  us  in  the  valley  and  shadow  of 
death,  and  that  thou  wilt  give  us  fullness  of  joy 
at  thy  right  hand,  where  there  are  pleasures  for 
evermore.  Oh  that  foolish  and  sinful  men  would 
forsake  their  broken  cisterns  that  can  hold  no 
water,  and  go  to  this  fountain  of  living  water 
that  they  may  drink  and  forget  the  pleasures 
of  earth  in  that  joy  which  is  full  of  glory. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  quickening  power 
of  thy  law.  When  our  souls  cleave  to  the  dust, 
quicken  us  according  to  thy  word.  We  desire 
not  that  zeal  which  is  without  knowledge,  but 
that  we  may  gather  diligently  from  the  Scriptures 
those  motives  to  fervency  of  spirit  which  will 
lead  us  to  serve  thee  with  all  our  heart,  to  work 
out  our  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  to 
do  good  as  we  have  opportunity.  Oh,  may  that 
faith  in  thy  gospel  which  works  by  love  dwell  in 
every  breast,  that  none  may  be  weary  in  well- 
doing, but  that  all  may  be  zealous  of  good 
works. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  sanctifying  power 
of  truth.  Blessed  are  the  undefiled  in  the  way, 
who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord.  Oh,  do  thou 
sanctify  us  by  thy  truth :  thy  word  is  truth. 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER.  2tf 

Wherewith  shall  we  cleanse  our  way  ?  By  tak- 
ing heed  thereto,  according  to  thy  word.  Order 
our  footsteps  by  it,  and  let  not  any  iniquity  have 
dominion  over  us.  Purify  our  hearts  by  faith, 
making  us  meet  for  the  inheritance  above.  And, 
Ix>rd,  do  thou  choose  multitudes  unto  salvation 
through  belief  of  the  truth.  Make  clean  through 
the  word  spoken  unto  them  many  who  yet  resist 
its  power,  but  whom  thou  canst  make  willing  in 
the  day  of  salvation,  washing  their  robes  and 
making  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
Amen. 


THE  LORD^S  PRAYER. 

OUR  Father  in  heaven,  thou  hast  told  us  that 
there  is  no  earthly  parent  who,  if  his  son  ask  bread, 
will  give  him  a  stone,  or  if  he  ask  a  fish  will  give 
him  a  serpent,  and  that  if  these,  being  evil,  know 
how  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children,  much 
more  will  our  Father  in  heaven  give  his  Holy 
Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him.  Oh,  give  us  the 
spirit  of  adoption,  by  which  we  may  cry, "  Abba, 
Father!"  looking  up  to  thee  as  our  reconciled  God 
and  Father  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  made 
partakers  of  that  act  of  free  grace  whereby  we  are 
received  into  the  number  and  have  a  right  to  all 
the  privileges  of  the  sons  of  God.  Lord,  regard 


238  HOME    WORSHIP. 

in  mercy  those  prodigal  children  who  have  left 
their  Father's  house  and  are  now  feeding  on  the 
husks  of  earth,  and  oh,  bring  them  back  to  thy 
household  touched  with  a  conviction  of  their 
want  and  guilt,  that  they  may  receive  the  adop- 
tion of  sons. 

Hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thou  art  worthy  of 
the  praise  of  all  creation,  for  thou  art  glorious 
in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises,  doing  wonders. 
The  heavens  declare  thy  glory,  and  all  thy 
works  praise  thee.  Lord,  let  our  hearts  bless 
thee.  Open  thou  our  lips,  and  our  mouths  shall 
show  forth  thy  praise.  Give  us  grace  to  honor 
thee  in  all  the  works  of  our  hands.  And  let  the 
people  praise  thee.  O  God,  let  all  the  people 
praise  thee.  Oh  that  thy  Church,  which  thou 
hast  purchased  by  thine  own  blood,  might  hon- 
or thee  continually  by  acts  of  holy  and  zealous 
obedience.  Oh  that  the  wicked  here  amongst  us 
and  over  the  whole  earth,  who  have  so  long  de- 
spised thy  name  and  dishonored  thy  law,  might 
bow  to  thy  sceptre  and  acknowledge  thee  as 
over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever. 

Thy  kingdom  come.  We  pray  that  Satan's 
kingdom  may  be  destroyed,  and  that  the  king- 
dom of  grace  may  be  advanced,  ourselves  and 
others  brought  into  it  and  kept  in  it,  and  that 
the  kingdom  of  glory  may  be  hastened.  Oh, 
give  us  that  spirit  of  prayer  which  will  give  thee 
no  rest  until  thou  establish,  until  thou  make 


THE  LORD^S  PRAYER.  239 

Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth.  Overturn  and 
overturn  and  overturn  until  He  comes  whose 
right  it  is  ;  until  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are 
become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his 
Christ,  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

Thy  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  heav- 
en. Merciful  God,  thou  mightest  have  left  us  to 
live  in  disobedience  and  die  in  impenitency,  and 
reap  through  eternity  the  fruits  of  transgression. 
But  thy  mercy  has  not  left  us  to  this  abandon- 
ment and  retribution.  Thou  hast  sought  to  win 
us  back  to  our  allegiance,  and  hast  held  up  for 
our  example  and  imitation  the  fealty  of  those 
spirits  who  never  knew  sin,  and  who  without 
delay  and  with  the  whole  heart  and  continually 
do  thy  pleasure.  Oh  that  our  hearts,  like  theirs, 
would  at  once  and  cheerfully  and  steadily  do  thy 
holy  will.  Oh  that  thy  whole  Church  might 
thus  learn  and  love  and  do  its  duty,  and  that 
sinners  of  every  grade  and  of  every  nation  might 
know  and  obey  and  submit  to  thy  will  in  all 
things  as  the  angels  do  in  heaven. 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  We  ac- 
knowledge and  mourn  that  we  often  forget  thee 
as  the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  and 
seek  our  provision  as  though  thou  hadst  no  dis- 
pensing hand  in  it  O  Lord,  rebuke  our  thought- 
lessness and  teach  us  our  dependence.  We  bless 
thee  for  the  plenty  thou  hast  bestowed  upon  us 
in  times  past,  and  we  ask  of  thee,  as  the  unde- 


24O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

served  gift  of  thy  mercy,  that  thou  wouldst  still 
give  us  our  meat  in  due  season.  We  desire  not 
that  plenty  which  will  nourish  indolence  and 
pamper  luxury  and  engender  pride,  but  that  thou 
wouldst  give  us  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  feed- 
ing us  with  food  convenient  for  us,  lest  we  be 
full  and  deny  thee,  and  say,  "  Who  is  the  Lord  ?" 
or  lest  we  be  poor  and  steal  and  take  the  name 
of  our  God  in  vain.  Lord,  remember  the  poor. 
Open  thy  hand  and  satisfy  their  desires.  Remove 
those  social  evils  which  grind  so  many  in  the 
dust  and  shackle  so  many  in  the  bonds  of  pov- 
erty. Lift  up  the  downtrodden,  restore  the  un- 
fortunate, deliver  the  oppressed  and  give  relief 
to  every  child  of  want. 

O  Lord,  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive 
those  who  trespass  against  us.  Make  us  meek, 
forbearing  and  forgiving  when  we  suffer  evil 
at  the  hands  of  others.  Though  our  property 
be  despoiled,  though  our  persons  be  assaulted, 
though  our  feelings  be  outraged,  though  our 
reputation  be  injured,  let  us  not  return  evil  for 
evil,  but  may  we  love  our  enemies,  blessing  them 
that  curse  us,  doing  good  to  them  that  hate  us, 
praying  for  those  that  despitefully  use  us  and 
persecute  us.  Give  all  men  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel,  which  is  peace  on  earth  and  good-will 
to  men.  May  they  remember  that  if  they  for- 
give not  men  their  trespasses,  neither  will  their 
Father  in  heaven  forgive  them  their  trespasses. 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER.  24! 

Teach  us  also  that  besides  this  condition  of 
pardon  we  must  also  seek  forgiveness  through 
the  blood  of  Christ,  in  whom  only  we  have  re- 
demption and  the  remission  of  sins.  We  would 
come  to  thee  in  that  new  and  living  way,  bur- 
dened with  a  sense  of  our  sins,  confessing  their 
guilt,  acknowledging  thy  righteous  condemna- 
tion, humbly  and  penitently  seeking  pardon 
and  reconciliation,  that  so  our  iniquities  may 
be  blotted  out,  and  that  thou  mayest  receive 
us  graciously  and  love  us  freely.  O  God,  make 
sinners  feel  the  power  and  the  mercy  of  thy 
pardoning  love.  Let  their  sins  be  blotted  out 
in  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord. 

Lord,  lead  us  not  into  temptation  and  keep 
us  from  running  into  it.  Make  our  hearts  in- 
creasingly insensible  to  sinful  objects  and  more 
and  more  susceptible  to  holy  motives.  May 
we  remember  our  weakness,  and  how  often  we 
have  fallen  and  how  we  are  surrounded  by  temp- 
tation, and  so  take  heed  lest  we  enter  it.  And, 
Lord,  destroy  that  power  over  the  human  heart 
which  the  sinful  attractions  of  this  world  possess, 
and  make  mankind  feel  the  allurements  of  a 
religious  life  and  the  powers  of  a  world  to 
come,  thus  redeeming  them  from  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  devil. 

Lord,  deliver  us  from  evil.  If  the  adversary 
ensnare  us,  if  the  things  of  earth  entangle  us,  if 

16 


242  HOME    WORSHIP. 

our  hearts  betray  us,  deliver  us  from  our  captiv- 
ity. And  oh,  do  thou  lift  up  those  whose  feel 
are  in  the  miry  clay,  and  set  them  upon  a  rock 
and  put  a  new  song  of  deliverance  into  their 
mouths. 

Lord,  we  offer  these  petitions  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  that  thine  may  be  the  kingdom,  the  power 
and  the  glory  for  ever.  Amen. 


ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  inhabitest  the  praises  of 
eternity.  Those  pure  and  lofty  spirits  who  have 
dwelt  before  thee  for  ages,  who  have  seen  the 
glories  of  thy  character  and  the  wonders  of  thy 
ways,  they  can  adore  and  praise  thee  in  some 
measure  as  thou  art.  But  thou  art  above  even 
their  blessing  and  praise,  for  thou  humblest 
thyself  to  behold  the  things  which  are  done 
in  heaven.  What,  then,  is  man — dwelling  on  the 
footstool  of  thy  dominion,  ignorant,  feeble  and 
sinful — that  thou  shouldst  give  audience  to  his 
praise?  Yet,  O  God,  it  is  because  thou  hast 
revealed  thyself  in  Jesus  Christ,  exalted  above 
principalities  and  powers,  as  an  object  before 
which  every  knee  should  bow,  that  we  lift  up 
our  voices  in  worship  before  thee. 

Thou  art  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning 


ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD.  243 

and  ending,  which  was  and  is  and  is  to  come. 
The  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  thee,  and 
thou  art  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  for  ever. 
Oh  how  short-lived,  how  feeble,  how  fickle,  are 
we  in  the  contrast !  We  humble  ourselves  before 
thee  and  confess  that  we  are  not  worthy  to  come 
into  thy  presence,  nor  to  lift  up  our  eyes  to  the 
place  where  thine  honor  dwellest. 

We  give  thee  thanks,  Lord  God  almighty, 
because  thou  hast  taken  to  thee  thy  great  power 
and  hast  reigned.  In  the  beginning  thou  didst 
create  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  thou  hast 
ever  since  upheld  all  things  by  the  word  of  thy 
power.  Thou  dost  according  to  thy  will  in  the 
army  of  heaven  and  among  the  inhabitants  of 
the  earth.  Lord,  make  us  the  willing  subjects 
of  thy  power.  Thou  canst  glorify  it  in  destroy- 
ing us  for  our  sins,  but  thou  canst  honor  it  still 
more  by  bringing  every  thought  into  captivity 
to  the  obedience  of  Christ  Thou  couldst  reveal 
thy  might  to  the  universe  as  thou  didst  in  cast- 
ing out  the  rebel  angels,  by  turning  sinners  to 
destruction,  but  oh,  do  thou  glorify  it  by  sub- 
duing them  from  rebellion  to  obedience,  from 
hatred  to  love,  making  them  willing  in  the  day 
of  thy  power. 

Oh,  the  depth  of  the  riches  of  the  wisdom  of 
God !  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works !  In 
wisdom  thou  hast  made  them  all.  Known  unto 
thee  are  all  thy  works  from  the  foundation  of 


244  HOME    WORSHIP. 

the  world.  Thou  art  acquainted  with  all  our 
ways.  Alas !  how  limited,  how  feeble,  is  our 
knowledge !  Our  memory  of  the  past  is  like  a 
dream,  our  knowledge  of  the  present  is  but  a 
fleeting  shadow ;  we  know  not  what  a  day  may 
bring  forth,  and  we  are  often  the  victims  of  error, 
deceiving  and  being  deceived.  Lord,  strengthen 
our  powers  to  acquire  and  retain  useful  know- 
ledge, but  give  us  especially  the  wisdom  from 
above.  Oh,  subdue  every  form  of  error  in  the 
world.  Let  many  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge 
be  increased. 

Who  shall  not  fear  thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify 
thy  name?  for  thou  art  holy.  Thou  canst  not 
look  upon  iniquity.  But,  alas !  we  are  guilty  and 
unclean.  Oh  that  thou  wouldst  transform  us 
by  the  renewing  of  our  minds  into  thine  image, 
that  our  fruit  may  be  unto  holiness.  And, 
O  Lord,  turn  men  from  their  captivity  to  sin  that 
they  may  put  on  the  new  man  which,  after  God, 
is  created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness. 

Just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  O  King  of  saints. 
Justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy 
throne.  We  bless  thee  for  that  display  of  thy 
justice  which  thou  hast  given  to  us  in  the  work 
of  thy  Son.  Without  it  we  had  lived  and  died 
in  unpardoned  sin,  and  had  gone  to  the  world  to 
come  to  suffer  endless  punishment.  But  thou  didst 
lay  help  upon  One  who  was  mighty  to  save,  who 
gave  himself  for  us.  Lord,  justify  us  freely  by  his 


ATTRIBUTES  OF  GOD.  24$ 

redemption.  And  oh,  let  many  who  are  under 
the  curse  of  the  law  be  reconciled  to  thee  by 
the  death  of  thy  Son,  taking  away  the  hand- 
writing of  ordinances  against  them  and  writing 
their  names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life. 

O  Lord,  thou  art  good  and  lovest  to  do  good 
Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  daily  loadeth  us  with 
benefits.  But  oh  how  excellent  is  that  loving- 
kindness  which  thou  hast  shown  to  the  children 
of  men  in  the  gift  of  thy  Son  !  Oh  that  this  dis- 
play of  thy  love  to  us  might  win  our  hearts  to 
thee  and  make  us  holy  and  without  blame  before 
thee  in  love.  Oh  that  it  might  turn  the  enmity  of 
every  carnal  mind  into  that  love  which  casteth 
out  fear  and  keepeth  thy  commandments. 

O  Lord,  thou  abidest  faithful  and  keepest  truth 
for  ever.  Make  us  hate  every  false  way  and  love 
and  speak  and  keep  the  truth.  And  do  thou  pro- 
mote truth  between  man  and  man,  until  falsehood 
of  every  pretext  shall  be  abhorred  and  no  guile 
be  found  in  any  mouth. 

Lord,  hear  and  answer  and  bless  us  for  the 
sake  of  Jesus  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 


246  HOME  WORSHIP. 

FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY. 

O  LORD,  increase  our  faith.  We  would  believe : 
help  thou  our  unbelief.  Give  us  implicit  confi- 
dence in  the  perfections  of  thy  character,  in  the 
purposes  of  thy  will  and  in  the  dispensations  of 
thy  providence.  Let  us  never  stagger  at  thy 
word  through  unbelief,  nor  hold  the  truth  in  un- 
righteousness, but  confide  in  all  its  precious  prom- 
ises and  solemn  warnings  and  sacred  examples 
and  holy  precepts.  Lead  us  to  look  unto  Jesus, 
the  Author  and  Finisher  of  faith,  taking  him 
as  our  Prophet,  Priest  and  King,  receiving  and 
resting  on  him  alone  for  salvation  as  he  is  of- 
fered in  the  gospel.  Increase  our  reliance  upon 
thee  by  the  examples  of  the  saints,  who  by  that 
grace  wrought  righteousness  and  out  of  weak- 
ness were  made  strong.  May  we  remember  we 
are  surrounded  by  a  cloud  of  witnesses.  Make  us 
followers  of  those  who  by  faith  and  patience  do 
.now  inherit  the  promises.  Give  us  faith  in 
prayer.  Make  us  feel  not  only  our  wants  and 
our  dependence  on  thee,  but  thy  fullness  and 
willingness  to  bless  us.  Oh  that  we  could  ever 
knock  at  the  door  of  mercy,  believing  that  thou 
wilt  open  unto  us,  and  go  with  boldness  to  the 
throne  of  grace  in  the  strength  of  Christ's  mer- 
its and  of  that  intercession  he  ever  loveth  to 
make  for  those  who  come  unto  God  by  him. 
Give  us  grace  to  show  our  faith  by  our  works, 


FAITH,   HOPE  AND  CHARITY.  247 

adding  to  it  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  pa- 
tience, godliness,  brotherly  kindness  and  char- 
ity. And,  O  Lord,  may  we  walk  by  faith  and 
not  by  sight,  looking  not  at  the  things  which 
are  seen  and  temporal,  but  at  those  which  are 
not  seen  and  are  eternal.  Make  multitudes  who 
live  now  in  unbelief  partakers  of  the  like  pre- 
cious faith  with  ourselves,  that  they  may  enjoy 
the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  through 
Him  who  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness 
to  all  that  believe  in  him. 

O  Lord,  give  us  a  good  hope  through  grace. 
Oh,  let  it  be  the  fruit  of  thy  Spirit  and  spring  out 
of  that  faith  by  which  we  receive  the  atonement 
of  Jesus,  for  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than 
that  which  is  laid  in  Jesus  Christ  Every  other 
refuge  is  a  refuge  of  lies,  every  other  hope  is  as 
the  giving  up  of  the  ghost.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that 
we  may  build  so  that  when  the  rains  descend  and 
the  floods  come  and  the  winds  blow  and  beat  upon 
our  house,  it  shall  fall  not,  because  it  is  built 
upon  a  rock.  Thanks  be  unto  thy  name,  the  hope 
of  the  righteous  is  gladness  and  assurance  for  ever. 
Teach  the  wicked,  O  God,  that  a  door  of  hope 
has  been  opened  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  a  way 
of  access  to  pardon,  by  which  thou  canst  be  just 
and  still  the  Justifier  of  them  that  believe  in 
Jesus.  Let  not  their  hearts  be  deceived  by  those 
hopes  of  earthly  good  which  are  either  nipped  in 
the  bud  or  blasted  in  the  flower  or  ripen  into 


248  HOME    WORSHIP. 

bitter  fruit  Show  them  that  the  expectation  of 
the  wicked  shall  perish  and  the  trust  of  the 
hypocrite  shall  be  as  the  spider's  web.  Oh, 
bring  many  sinners  to  the  footstool  of  thy  throne, 
to  learn  there  the  blessedness  of  putting  their 
confidence  in  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  cove- 
nant, from  which  only  can  they  receive  the  prom- 
ise of  the  life  that  now  is  and  of  that  which  is 
to  come. 

And  now  abideth  faith,  hope  and  charity,  but 
the  greatest  of  these  is  charity.  Giver  of  all 
good,  grant  us  that  fruit  of  the  Spirit  which  is 
love.  May  this  be  the  element  where  our  souls 
will  live  and  move  and  have  their  being.  Oh, 
may  we  feel  that  if  we  could  speak  with  the 
tongues  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity,  we  are 
become  as  sounding  brass  and  a  tinkling  cymbal, 
and  though  we  should  bestow  all  our  goods  to 
feed  the  poor  and  give  our  bodies  to  be  burned, 
and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  us  nothing. 
Lord,  grant  that  thy  holy  commandment  and 
the  countless  examples  of  thy  good-will  and 
the  various  wants  of  our  fellow-creatures  may 
be  heart-stirring  motives  to  this  law  of  kindness. 
And  may  the  love  of  Christ  constrain  us  to  love 
thee  with  all  our  heart,  and  our  neighbors  as 
ourselves.  Oh,  give  us  this  bond  of  perfectness, 
this  end  of  the  commandment,  which  springeth 
out  of  a  pure  heart  and  a  good  conscience,  and 
of  faith  unfeigned.  Let  this  grace  abound 


CONFESSIONS.  249 

in  thy  Church,  binding  thy  people  to  thee  in 
cords  of  love  that  cannot  be  broken  and  giving 
them  zealous  sympathies  for  the  welfare,  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual,  of  all  mankind.  And,  O  God, 
hasten  that  time  when  charity  shall  fill  the  hearts 
and  control  the  conduct  of  all  men  ;  when  all  the 
enmity  of  the  carnal  mind  toward  God  shall  be 
transformed  to  love,  and  all  its  selfishness  and 
envy  and  anger  toward  man  into  good-will,  and 
Jesus,  the  Prince  of  peace,  reign  over  an  undis- 
turbed empire  of  love. 

Heavenly  Father,  our  petitions  for  these  things 
and  for  all  we  need  we  offer  in  the  merits  and 
cross  and  intercession  of  the  Redeemer,  to  whom, 
with  the  Father  and  Spirit,  be  endless  praise. 
Amen. 


CONFESSIONS. 

WEAKNESS,  IGNORANCE  AND  SIN. 

O  LORD,  we  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
acknowledging  our  unworthiness.  We  bless  thee 
that  thou  art  never  weary  of  giving  us  audience 
at  thy  mercy-seat  nor  of  supplying  our  wants. 

We  come  to  thee  now  confessing  our  weak- 
ness. We  cannot  make  one  hair  of  our  heads 
either  white  or  black.  We  cannot  add  one 
hour  to  our  lives.  We  cannot  of  ourselves 


25O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

add  one  cent  to  our  property.  All  our  ability 
to  think  and  feel  and  speak  and  move  comes 
from  thee.  If  thou  shouldst  take  away  but  for 
a  moment  thy  help,  we  should  die.  And  yet, 
O  Lord,  we  go  about  our  employments  and  rec- 
reations often  as  if  we  were  independent  of  thee 
and  had  power  in  ourselves  to  sustain  life  and 
make  our  own  destiny.  Lord,  we  deserve  for 
our  pride  and  self-sufficiency  and  forgetfulness 
of  thee  to  be  cut  off  and  made  the  victims  of  our 
sinful  folly.  But  thou  art  long-suffering  and  full 
of  goodness.  And  yet  we  would  not  presume 
on  thy  forbearance ;  we  would  not  abuse  thy 
mercy.  We  pray  that  we  may  continually  feel 
and  acknowledge  our  dependence  on  thee  in 
every  hour  of  need  ;  and  oh,  every  hour  of  life  is 
an  hour  of  need,  in  which  we  require  thy  sus- 
taining and  supplying  mercy.  We  pray  that 
thou  wouldst  keep  us  from  those  diseases  and 
accidents  which  weaken  and  destroy  life,  and  that 
thou  wouldst  give  us  that  health  and  strength  of 
body  which  will  enable  us  to  discharge  all  our 
duties  with  comfort  to  ourselves  and  usefulness 
to  others.  And,  Lord,  give  us  strength  and  res- 
olution to  do  thy  will.  But  oh  how  weak  are 
our  purposes,  how  feeble  are  our  actions,  when 
we  do  desire  to  obey  thee !  But  our  help  in 
these  also  must  come  from  thee.  Strengthen  us, 
therefore,  we  pray  thee,  with  might,  by  thy  Spirit, 
in  the  inner  man,  that  in  the  spirit  of  reliance  on 


CONFESSIONS.  2$  I 

thee  we  may  do  with  our  might  whatever  thou 
hast  commanded. 

O  Lord,  we  come  to  thee  to  confess  our  igno- 
rance. When  we  compare  what  we  know  with  what 
we  are  ignorant  of,  it  is  but  a  grain  of  sand  com- 
pared with  the  earth.  How  little  do  we  remember 
of  the  past !  how  little  do  we  know  of  the  present ! 
whilst  of  the  future  we  know  nothing — absolutely 
nothing ;  we  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring 
forth.  Yet  we  sometimes  boast  among  ourselves 
of  what  we  know,  little  as  it  is,  with  far  more 
confidence  than  angels  would,  who  have  been 
learning  for  ages  with  ceaseless  diligence  and 
with  lofty  intellect  the  wonders  of  thy  works  and 
the  mysteries  of  thy  ways  and  the  treasures  of 
thy  word.  Lord,  rebuke  our  vanity  and  teach 
us  our  ignorance  and  make  us  diligent  to  learn 
everything  we  ought  to  know.  May  we  gather 
wisdom  every  day  and  every  hour  from  the  skies 
above  us  and  from  the  earth  beneath  us  and  from 
creation  round  about  us.  But  chiefly  do  thou 
make  us  wise  to  salvation.  Teach  us  what  we 
ought  to  believe  concerning  thee  and  the  duties 
thou  requirest  of  us.  And  may  all  we  learn 
make  us  holy  and  happy  and  useful,  and  fit  us 
for  that  blessed  world  where  ignorance  shall  be 
unknown  and  knowledge  made  perfect. 

Lord,  we  come  to  thee  to  confess  our  sinful- 
ness.  We  have  gone  astray  from  our  birth.  We 
daily  break  thy  commandment  in  thought,  word 


25^2  HOME    WORSHIP. 

and  deed.  We  have  sinned  against  light,  because 
when  we  knew  thy  will  we  did  it  not.  We  have 
sinned  against  love,  for  whilst  thou  hast  been 
nourishing  us  and  bringing  us  up  as  children  we 
rebelled  against  thee.  Our  sins  are  more  in 
number  than  the  hairs  of  our  heads.  Oh,  it  was 
an  infinite  mercy  for  us  that  we  did  not  die  in 
our  sins,  and  that  we  were  not  called  into  judg- 
ment for  our  transgressions.  But  though  we  thus 
confess  our  iniquities,  how  little  do  we  feel  them  ! 
How  prone  are  we  to  self-righteousness,  whilst  in 
thy  sight  we  are  guilty  and  unclean  !  But,  O 
God,  we  bless  thee  that  though  we  are  guilty  and 
unclean  we  can  go  to  thee  crying,  "  God,  be 
merciful  to  us  sinners  !"  There  is  a  name  given 
under  heaven  among  men  whereby  we  can  be 
saved.  It  is  the  name  of  Jesus.  Lord,  in  his 
name  give  us  repentance  and  remission  of  sins. 
For  his  sake  accept  and  treat  us  as  righteous. 
Be  in  him  our  reconciled  God  and  Father.  And 
may  the  hope  of  his  salvation  purify  us  even  as 
he  is  pure,  that,  being  made  free  from  sin  and  ser- 
vants unto  thee,  we  may  have  our  fruit  unto 
holiness  and  the  end  everlasting  life. 

Gracious  God,  we  commit  to  thee  all  the  in- 
terests of  our  perishing  bodies  and  of  our  death- 
less spirits.  Choose  our  changes  for  us.  Adapt 
us  to  all  thy  dispensations.  Make  us  submissive 
to  all  thy  will.  And  finally  make  us  joint-heirs 
with  Christ  in  an  everlasting  inheritance.  Am^n. 


REDEMPTION.  253 


REDEMPTION 

O  LORD,  we  come  to  thee  in  die  name  of  Jesus 
as  needy  creatures  who  are  dependent  on  thee  for 
every  mercy.  The  air  we  breathe,  the  food  we 
eat,  the  raiment  we  wear,  and  every  comfort  of 
life,  is  each  a  gift  from  thy  hand.  Still  more  are 
we  dependent  on  thee  for  religious  blessings  ;  for 
while  our  desires  are  ever  ready  to  pursue  tem- 
poral comforts  and  our  hands  to  toil  for  them, 
our  hearts  are  prone  to  turn  away  from  spirit- 
ual good.  Lord,  the  blessing  we  would  seek 
of  thee  at  this  time  is  that  thou  wouldst  teach 
us  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Oh,  do  thou  unfold  to  us,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
deep  depravity  and  lost  estate  into  which  our 
guilty  race  had  fallen.  The  whole  head  was  sick 
and  the  whole  heart  faint,  and  from  the  sole  of  the 
foot  even  unto  the  head  there  was  no  moral 
soundness  in  it.  All  flesh  had  corrupted  its  way 
upon  the  earth  and  the  whole  world  was  guilty 
before  God.  Oh,  if  thou  hadst  not  laid  help 
upon  One  mighty  to  save,  all  men  would  have 
had  their  portion  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with 
fire  and  brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death. 

Gracious  God,  make  us  sensible  of  that  love 
whereby  thou  didst  give  thine  only-begotten  Son 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  per- 
ish, but  have  everlasting  life,  and  which  thou 


254  HOME    WORSHIP. 

hast  commended  to  us  in  that  while  we  were 
sinners  Christ  died  for  us.  Though  thou  hast 
shown  thy  loving-kindness  in  the  works  of  cre- 
ation and  in  the  developments  of  providence,  in 
this  thou  hast  gathered  as  into  a  bright  and  burn- 
ing centre  the  matchless  proof  of  thy  good-will 
to  man.  Oh,  the  breadth  and  length  and  depth 
and  height  of  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth 
knowledge  ! 

Lord,  show  us  the  excellences  of  Christ's 
glory  and  the  depths  of  his  humiliation.  Though 
he  dwelt  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father  and  in- 
habited the  praises  of  eternity  and  exercised  the 
powers  of  the  Godhead,  yet  he  took  upon  him 
our  sinful  nature,  was  born  in  a  low  condition, 
was  made  under  the  law,  undergoing  the  miseries 
of  this  life,  the  wrath  of  God  and  the  accursed 
death  of  the  cross,  and  was  buried  and  continued 
under  the  power  of  death  for  a  time.  Oh,  teach 
us  that  he  was  thus  made  sin  for  us  that  we 
might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
him. 

O  God,  show  us  that  though  he  thus  gave  his 
life  a  ransom  for  many,  still  there  is  none  who 
can  have  redemption  through  his  blood  without 
the  convincing,  renewing  and  sanctifying  power 
of  thy  grace.  Lord,  may  we  know  our  sin  and 
our  need  of  a  Saviour,  and  incline  us  to  turn 
away  from  all  our  transgressions  and  to  lay 
hold  of  the  hope  set  before  us  in  the  gospel. 


REDEMPTION.  2$$ 

O  Lord,  impress  on  our  hearts  the  features  of 
the  Redeemer's  lovely  character.  May  we  learn 
of  Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly,  kind  and  pa- 
tient, obedient  and  forgiving,  wise  and  holy.  Let 
the  same  mind  which  was  in  him  be  also  in  us. 
Show  us  that  he  is  glorified  in  the  bodies  and 
spirits  of  those  whom  thou  hast  given  to  him, 
and  that  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
he  is  none  of  his.  Oh,  may  the  grace  that  has 
brought  salvation  teach  us  to  deny  ungodliness 
and  every  worldly  lust  and  to  work  righteousness, 
that  his  image,  destroyed  by  the  fall,  may  be 
renewed  in  us,  and  that  thus  the  life  of  Jesus 
may  be  made  manifest  in  our  mortal  flesh. 

God  of  grace,  excite  our  faith  in  this  blessed 
Saviour  by  clear  visions  of  that  heavenly  glory 
which  he  has  prepared  for  those  that  love  him. 
Oh,  thanks  be  unto  thy  name !  thou  hast  not  only 
redeemed  thy  saints  from  the  wretched  dominion 
of  sin  and  the  fearful  penalties  of  guilt,  but  thou 
hast  given  them  thine  unfailing  promise  that  they 
shall  go  into  life  eternal  and  dwell  before  thy 
throne  and  serve  thee  day  and  night  in  thy  tem- 
ple. Lord,  grant  that  through  his  merits  an 
entrance  may  be  ministered  unto  us  abundantly 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 

Merciful  Father,  persuade  the  ungodly,  who  are 
rejecting  the  Saviour,  that  without  his  atoning 
righteousness  their  souls  must  endure  the  perdi- 


256  HOME    WORSHIP. 

tion  of  eternal  death,  while  through  his  blood 
they  may  have  remission  of  sins  and  an  inherit- 
ance among  them  that  are  sanctified.  Reconcile 
them  unto  thyself  through  him,  not  imputing 
their  trespasses  unto  them.  Oh,  dispose  them 
to  join  with  fullness  of  heart  that  heavenly  an- 
them which  heralded  his  birth  in  our  nature : 
"  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace, 
good-will  toward  man."  And  thine  shall  be 
the  praise  in  earth  and  heaven.  Amen. 


NEW  YEAR. 

O  THOU  Giver  and  Preserver  of  being,  we 
would  lift  up  our  thanksgivings  to  thee  for  hav- 
ing continued  and  blessed  our  lives  through 
another  year.  There  has  not  been  a  day  nor  a 
moment  of  it  which  has  not  brought  us  tokens 
of  thy  care  and  kindness.  Here  we  would  raise 
our  Ebenezer  and  say,  "  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us." 

And,  O  Lord,  we  would  look  back  with  min- 
gled feelings  of  wonder  and  love  on  the  way  in 
which  thou  hast  led  us  through  life.  If  thou 
hadst  measured  out  to  us  according  to  our  de- 
serts, our  days  of  probation  would  long  ago 
have  been  ended  and  we  would  now  be  reaping 
the  fruits  of  sin  in  a  world  of  despair.  But, 


NEW  YEAR.  257 

thanks  be  unto  thee  through  Jesus  Christ !  thy 
mercy  rejoiced  over  judgment,  and  we,  who  might 
have  been  monuments  of  thy  justice,  are  now 
witnesses  for  thee  that  thou  art  long-suffering 
and  abundant  in  goodness. 

Accept  our  gratitude  for  the  many  tokens 
of  thy  favor  which  we  have  enjoyed  during  the 
past  year.  We  thank  thee  for  our  food  and  rai- 
ment, for  our  home  and  friends,  for  our  health 
and  our  countless  comforts.  We  praise  thee 
that  the  means  of  grace,  the  institution  of  prayer, 
the  oracles  of  truth  and  the  fellowship  of  saints 
have  all  been  continued  to  us.  And  to  all  these 
thou  hast  added  the  teaching  and  sanctifying  and 
rejoicing  influences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  Lord, 
thou  hast  crowned  the  year  with  thy  goodness 
and  thy  paths  in  it  have  dropped  fatness. 

O  Lord,  help  us  to  review  closely  and  seriously 
our  transactions  during  the  last  year.  May  we 
realize  that  though  the  memory  of  them  is  fast 
fading  away  they  are  written  indelibly  on  the 
book  of  thy  remembrance,  where  they  will  re- 
main until  that  fearful  hour  of  trial  when  the 
books  shall  be  opened  and  all  men  shall  be  judged 
out  of  the  things  that  are  written  therein,  whether 
they  be  good  or  evil. 

We  desire  to  acknowledge  before  thee  with 
godly  sorrow  that  we  have  neglected  many 
duties  and  abused  many  privileges  during 
the  last  year.  Our  hearts  and  lips  and  hands 


258  HOME    WORSHIP. 

have  often  been  the  agents  of  transgression. 
Many  of  thy  mercies  have  been  ungratefully 
perverted  or  forgotten,  and  thy  chastenings  have 
often  been  despised  or  have  gone  unheeded.  Oh, 
our  tongues  would  grow  weary  and  our  hearts 
would  sicken  if  we  should  undertake  to  recite 
all  our  iniquities  before  thee.  Help  us,  we  pray 
thee,  in  the  name  of  our  great  Advocate,  to 
repent  over  them,  to  loathe  and  forsake  them, 
and  to  look  to  thee  for  strength  that  the  time 
past  of  our  lives  may  suffice  to  have  wrought 
the  deeds  of  the  flesh,  and  that  henceforth  we 
may  live  according  to  the  will  of  God. 

O  Lord,  we  desire  to  enter  this  year  feeling 
the  solemn  responsibilities  of  human  life.  We 
know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  nor  what 
the  approaching  months  may  reveal  respecting  us, 
except  that  they  will  bring  us  nearer  eternity  and 
be  full  of  records  of  our  growth  in  grace  or  of 
our  backslidings  from  thy  holy  law.  We  thank 
thee  that  our  span  of  life  is  still  lengthened  out, 
and  that  we  may  indulge  the  hope  that  we  shall 
still  be  permitted  to  enjoy  the  precious  opportu- 
nities that  have  been  vouchsafed  to  us  in  days 
past.  O  God,  assist  us,  we  beseech  thee,  to 
discharge  aright  all  the  duties  which  lie  before 
us.  Make  us  understand  the  uncertainty  of 
time,  the  worth  of  our  souls,  the  multiplied 
interests  of  our  fellow-travelers  to  eternity  and 
the  righteous  claims  of  thy  service.  Make  us 


NEW  YEAR.  259 

watchful  against  the  many  dangers  to  which  we 
are  exposed.  Strengthen  our  love  to  thee,  deepen 
our  convictions  of  sin,  animate  our  desires  after 
holiness,  increase  our  spirit  of  prayer,  enlarge 
our  benevolence  and  lead  us  in  thine  own  way 
for  thy  name's  sake.  Lord,  protect  us  by  thy 
power,  supply  us  by  thy  bounty,  direct  us  by 
thy  wisdom,  and  give  us  an  increasing  meetness 
for  that  state  where  these  changing  seasons  will 
give  place  to  an  endless  life. 

Lord,  make  this  opening  year  a  year  of  the 
right  hand  of  the  Most  High.  Pour  the  healing 
of  peace  on  all  the  bleeding  wounds  of  thy 
Church.  Give  her  the  spirit  of  holiness.  Invig- 
orate her  by  the  reviving  power  of  truth.  Awaken 
her  to  renewed  efforts  in  doing  good.  Oh,  may 
these  months  stand  forth  in  the  history  of  re- 
demption as  precious  seasons  of  refreshing  from 
thy  holy  and  life-giving  presence,  in  which  thou 
wilt  give  thy  people  the  garments  of  praise  for 
the  spirit  of  heaviness,  in  which  sinners  shall  be 
brought  from  darkness  to  light  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  to  the  service  of  the  living 
God. 

O  Lord,  we  humbly  prefer  these  petitions  in 
the  name  of  Jesus.  For  his  sake  grant  us  par- 
don and  acceptance.  And  thy  name,  Lord,  shall 
have  all  the  praise  now,  henceforth  and  foi 
ever.  Amen. 


260  HOME    WORSHIP. 


NEW  YEAR. 

O  THOU  God  of  the  rolling  year,  we  would  de 
sire  to  come  before  thee  this  morning  of  a  new 
year  acknowledging  thee  as  the  Fountain  of  all 
our  mercies  in  days  past,  as  the  Source  of  all  our 
present  comforts  and  as  the  Hope  of  future  good. 
Thou  hast  given  us  the  spring  with  its  green  cov- 
ering, the  summer  with  its  golden  harvest,  the 
autumn  with  its  crowded  fruits,  and  the  winter 
with  its  icy  mantle,  beneath  which  thou  art  pre- 
paring the  earth  for  a  new  life  of  beauty  and 
plenty.  And  in  all  these  seasons  thou  hast 
crowned  us  with  thy  loving-kindness  and  tender 
mercy.  We  have  indeed  had  our  trials  and  toils 
and  afflictions  ;  but  when  compared  with  our  mer- 
cies or  with  our  sins,  they  have  been  few  in  num- 
ber and  short  in  continuance,  and  they  have  been 
merciful  in  design,  and  we  trust  that  some  of 
them  have  been  blessed  in  their  results  to  us, 
working  out  for  us  and  in  us  the  peaceable  fruits 
of  righteousness. 

But  oh  what  a  series  of  bounties  present  them- 
selves to  our  minds  as  we  look  back  through  the 
year  that  has  just  passed  !  Health,  strength,  food, 
clothing,  home,  friends,  relations,  comfort,  pleas- 
ure, hope,  usefulness,  have  all  been  furnished 
by  thy  bounteous  hand,  so  that  day  unto  day 
uttered  speech  concerning  thy  goodness,  and 


NEW  YEAR.  26l 

night  unto  night  brought  forth  knowledge  of 
thy  mercy. 

And,  O  Lord,  we  would  not  forget  what  is 
worth  more  than  all  these — that  throughout  the 
whole  year  thou  hast  offered  to  us  the  blessings 
of  salvation.  If  we  have  indeed  availed  ourselves 
of  them  and  have  lived  worthy  of  them,  we  need 
not  fear  the  flight  of  time,  for  every  fleeting  year 
will  only  bring  us  nearer  an  endless  life  of  hap- 
piness. But  if  we  have  rejected  those  blessings, 
then  the  flight  of  the  past  year  may  have  brought 
us  twelve  months  nearer  perdition. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  we  know  not  what  will  be- 
fall us  during  the  year  that  is  before  us.  It  may 
be  that  afflictions  sore  and  protracted  may  be 
before  us.  If  so,  Lord,  sanctify  us  in  our  suffer- 
ings. It  may  be  that  some  of  us  may  go  to  the 
narrow  house  appointed  for  all  the  living.  May 
we,  then,  pass  the  time  of  our  sojourning  in  fear, 
waiting  for  the  King  of  Terrors.  And  if  he  come, 
may  his  death-warrant  be  our  passport  to  eter- 
nal life. 

O  God,  help  us  to  ponder  and  fulfill  all  the 
duties  of  heart  and  life  which  lie  before  us  in  the 
untraveled  and  uncertain,  but  important,  period 
of  time  on  which  we  are  now  entering.  While 
we  are  thoughtful  of  death  and  eternity,  suffer  us 
not  to  forget  that  while  it  is  called  to-day  and 
before  the  night  cometh,  in  which  no  man  can 
work,- thou  hast  appointed  to  us  spheres  of  duty 


262  HOME  WORSHIP. 

which  thou  requirest  us  to  occupy  till  thy  com- 
ing. Give  us,  we  beseech  thee,  for  Christ's  sake, 
an  eye  of  wisdom  to  discern  and  a  heart  of  love 
to  do  all  thy  requirements.  And  if  it  be  thy 
pleasure  to  prolong  our  years,  may  we  look  back 
on  them  as  spent  in  thy  service,  and  say,  "  For 
us  to  live  is  Christ."  But  if  thou  wilt  bring  our 
season  of  trial  to  an  end,  oh,  grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  that  we  may  be  able  to  say  with  an  ex- 
ulting, never-ending  joy,  "  For  us  to  die  is 
gain." 

O  Lord,  let  mercy  mark  all  thy  dispensations 
to  our  fellow-creatures  this  year.  Have  pity  on 
the  poor.  Raise  up  the  bowed  down  and  speak 
peace  to  the  mourner.  Release  the  oppressed. 
Comfort  and  sanctify  the  afflicted.  O  God,  bless 
thy  Church.  In  the  midst  of  the  years  revive 
thy  work  ;  in  wrath  remember  mercy.  Give  her 
beauty  for  ashes  and  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning. 
Imbue  her  plenteously  with  the  wisdom  that  is 
from  on  high.  Perfect  in  her  that  work  of  thy 
free  grace  by  which  thy  children  die  unto  sin  and 
live  unto  righteousness.  Animate  her  with  the 
love  of  good  works,  that  she  may  be  a  branch 
that  abideth  in  the  vine,  bearing  fruit.  Oh,  send 
thy  rod  out  of  Zion,  and  make  thy  people  will- 
ing in  the  day  of  thy  power. 

And,  Lord,  let  this  year  be  distinguished  by 
multitudes  of  converts  to  righteousness.  Wher- 
ever the  gospel  is  now  preached,  let  it  have  free 


ffEA  VEN  AND  HELL.  263 

course  and  be  glorified.  Oh  that  thy  love  to 
sinners  in  the  mercies  of  thy  providence,  in  the 
pleadings  of  thy  word,  in  the  gift  of  thy  Son,  in 
the  strivings  of  thy  Spirit,  might  win  them  from 
the  service  of  Satan  to  the  allegiance  of  God. 
Lord,  increase  the  number  of  those  who  run  to 
and  fro  upon  the  earth  with  thy  knowledge.  Oh, 
let  their  message  of  salvation  this  year  reach 
many  tribes  and  nations  to  whom  the  everlasting 
gospel  has  never  been  preached,  and  be  honored 
in  redeeming  them  from  the  toils  of  the  adver- 
sary and  bringing  them  into  the  adoption  of 
the  sons  of  God. 

O  Lord,"  we  would  ascribe  the  kingdom  and 
power  and  glory  unto  thy  great  name  through 
Jesus  our  Saviour,  for  ever.  Amen. 


HEAVE.    AND  HELL. 

O  LORD,  we  thank  thee  for  the  revelation  thou 
hast  given  us  of  our  immortal  nature  and  of  the 
destinies  of  weal  or  woe  which  await  human 
souls  beyond  the  grave.  Oh  that  we  might 
ponder  well  the  worth  of  the  soul  in  relation  to 
that  future  being,  that  so  we  may  escape  hell 
and  gain  heaven. 

O  Lord,  assist  our  feeble  powers  to  contem- 
plate the  bliss  of  heaven— that  blest  land  where 


264  HOME    WORSHIP. 

the  righteous  shall  hunger  no  more  nor  thirst 
any  more,  and  where  God  shall  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  their  eyes,  and  they  shall  sing  the 
new  song  of  praise  to  the  Lamb,  who  has  re- 
deemed them  to  God  by  his  blood  out  of  every 
people  and  tongue  and  kindred  and  nation  ;  where 
thy  saints  serve  thee  with  fullness  of  joy  and 
holiness  of  heart  and  obedience  of  will,  and 
where  they  are  for  ever  with  the  Lord. 

We  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  hast  made 
known  to  us  the  glories  of  that  heavenly  state 
and  hast  taught  us  how  we  may  obtain  them. 
Life  and  immortality  have  been  brought  to  light 
by  the  gospel ;  and  though  the  carnal  eye  hath 
not  seen  nor  the  ear  heard  the  things  thou  hast 
prepared  for  them  that  love  thee,  yet  thou  hast 
revealed  them  to  thy  children  by  thy  Spirit  as 
a  foretaste  of  that  glory  which  shall  be  made 
known  in  the  eternal  life.  O  Lord,  shall  we 
be  partakers  of  that  blessing  ?  Oh,  grant  that 
the  contemplation  of  it  may  make  us  feel  the 
vanity  of  earthly  things  and  lead  us  to  set  our 
affections  on  things  that  are  heavenly  and  divine. 
May  we  follow  after  holiness,  without  which  no 
man  can  see  the  Lord,  and  seek  a  building  of 
God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens. 

Lord,  grant  that  visions  of  the  heavenly  glory 
may  quicken  the  hope  and  purify  the  heart  and 
animate  the  zeal  of  thy  chosen  people.  May 


HEAVEN  AND  HELL.  265 

they  live  here  as  having  no  abiding-place  and 
no  continuing  city,  but  as  seeking  a  better,  even 
a  heavenly.  And  while  they  strive  diligently 
to  work  out  their  own  salvation,  lead  them  to 
seek  to  bring  sinners  into  the  path  of  eternal 
life. 

Blessed  Lord,  convince  the  worldly-minded 
and  sinful  of  the  depraved  and  perishing  nature 
of  temporal  things,  and  of  the  exalted  and  eternal 
treasures  thou  hast  laid  up  in  the  home  of  the 
righteous.  Oh,  give  them  that  repentance  and 
faith  and  holiness  and  obedience  by  which  they 
shall  be  made  meet  for  the  inheritance  purchased 
by  the  blood  of  Christ. 

Great  God,  we  pray  that  thou  wouldst  give 
us,  with  these  views  and  feelings  respecting 
heaven,  a  deep  conviction  of  the  awful  truth 
that  thou  hast  ordained  and  fixed  a  place  of  tor- 
ment for  all  the  finally  impenitent,  a  bottomless 
pit  where  there  is  blackness  of  darkness,  a  prison 
where  there  is  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth, 
a  lake  of  fire  where  the  smoke  of  their  torment 
ascendeth  for  ever,  where  they  will  remembei 
their  ungodly  deeds,  their  multiplied  mercies^ 
their  abused  privileges,  thine  enduring  patience.! 
and  their  reckless  impenitency  while  treasurino^ 
up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath. 

O  Lord,  suffer  not  our  hearts  ever  to  question 
or  rebel  against  the  wisdom  and  righteousness 
of  thy  punitive  justice.  Just  and  true  are  all 


266  HOME    WORSHIP. 

thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints.  Teach  us,  O  God, 
by  the  deep  damnation  of  the  wicked,  that  thou 
hatest  sin  and  lovest  holiness,  and  that  thou  art 
thus  promoting  the  obedience  and  welfare  of  the 
universe  and  sustaining  thy  character  as  the 
moral  Governor  of  creation. 

Assist  us,  O  God,  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come  and  to  lay  hold  of  eternal  life  through 
the  Saviour.  But  let  us  not  be  satisfied  merely 
with  our  own  safety.  May  we  seek  also  the 
salvation  of  those  who  are  in  the  broad  way  to 
ruin.  Impel  us  by  keen  sympathy  for  their 
danger  and  love  for  their  happiness  to  put  forth 
such  efforts  of  prayer  and  labor  as  shall  be  the 
means  of  saving  some  that  are  ready  to  perish. 

O  God,  do  thou  arouse  thy  Church  to  a  con- 
viction of  her  duty  to  a  perishing  world.  Let 
none  of  thy  people  dishonor  their  calling  by 
indifference  to  the  eternal  welfare  of  the  impen- 
itent. May  every  one  feel  the  powers  of  the 
world  to  come,  and  by  earnest  supplication  and 
fervent  activity  strive  for  the  blessedness  of  con- 
verting sinners  and  saving  souls  from  the  second 
death. 

O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  to  give  the  wicked  such 
views  of  the  everlasting  destruction  awaiting  the 
unrepenting  sinner  as  shall  lead  them  to  consider 
the  mercy  that  has  provided  a  way  of  escape  from 
perdition.  Drive  them  by  the  terrors  of  the  law 
or  draw  them  by  the  cords  of  love  to  the  blood 


GRATITUDE,  REPENTANCE,  FAITH.        267 

of  the  everlasting  covenant.  Oh,  let  many  who 
now  seem  to  be  vessels  of  wrath  fitting  for  de- 
struction be  changed  into  vessels  of  mercy  pre- 
paring for  glory,  who  shall  be  kept  by  thy  power 
through  faith  unto  salvation,  where  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  the  love  of  God 
and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
are  begun  on  earth,  shall  be  perfected  in 
heaven  for  ever.  Amen. 


GRATITUDE,  REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 

GREAT  GOD,  thou  hast  told  us  in  thy  word  that 
thou  sittest  upon  the  circle  of  the  heavens  and 
humblest  thyself  to  behold  the  things  that  are 
done  upon  the  earth.  We  know  that  we  are 
not  worthy  of  thy  notice,  nor  even  to  lift  up  our 
eyes  to  the  throne  of  thy  mercy,  and  that  if  thou 
shouldst  treat  us  as  we  deserve  we  would  not  be 
allowed  to  pray  to  thee.  But  thou  art  merciful 
and  good;  and  instead  of  turning  us  away  un- 
heard and  unblest,  thou  hast  invited  us  to  come 
to  thee  in  the  name  of  Christ  for  things  that  are 
agreeable  to  thy  holy  will. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  if  thou  art  the  Hearer  and 
Answerer  of  prayer,  if  thou  art  waiting  to  be 
gracious,  and  if  all  things  are  ready  on  thy  part 
to  bless  us,  make  us  ready  and  anxious  on  our 


268  HOME    WORSHIP. 

part  to  seek  thy  blessing-.  May  we  pray  with  a 
right  spirit,  and  seek  those  things  which,  while 
we  need  them,  it  would  be  good  for  us  to  receive. 

Lord,  make  us  feel  our  dependence  on  thee, 
for  unless  we  do  we  will  never  pray  aright. 
Make  us  realize  also  that  thou  art  able  to  give 
us  everything,  for  all  that  is  in  the  universe  is 
thine. 

O  Lord,  one  thing  we  need  and  one  that  is  agree- 
able to  thy  will  is  the  spirit  of  gratitude.  Thou 
art  giving  us  food  every  day  and  rest  every  night. 
Though  death  has  sometimes  come  among  us 
and  taken  away  from  us  those  whom  we  loved, 
yet  we  are  still  surrounded  by  friends.  Though 
we  sometimes  suffer  pain  and  sickness,  yet  we 
almost  always  enjoy  health.  But  these  are  only 
a  part  of  our  blessings,  all  of  which  come  from 
thee,  for  thou  art  the  Father  of  lights,  from  whom 
cometh  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  Yet  we  often 
forget  this  and  live  like  the  beasts  of  the  field, 
which  feed  upon  the  fruit  which  falls  to  the  earth 
from  the  trees  above  and  look  not  and  know  not 
whence  it  falls,  for  so  thy  paths  drop  fatness,  yet 
we  look  not  whence  our  help  cometh.  Lord,  let 
us  not  continue  to  live  so  ungratefully,  but  may 
we  every  day  and  every  hour  and  continually 
feel  in  our  inmost  heart  that  every  comfort  of 
life  is  given  by  thee,  and  so  may  we  be  led  to 
love  thee  with  all  our  heart  and  serve  thee  with 
all  our  might. 


GRATITUDE,  REPENTANCE*  FAITH.        269 

O  Lord,  another  thing  which  we  need  and  which 
it  is  in  thy  heart  to  give  us  is  the  spirit  of  re- 
pentance. Our  ingratitude  makes  us  sinners  if 
there  is  nothing  else  in  us  to  offend  thee.  We 
have  not  kept  strictly  at  all  times  our  covenant 
with  truth.  We  have  often  coveted  what  was  not 
our  own,  and  we  have  sometimes  thoughtlessly 
or  purposely  taken  what  was  not  our  own.  WTe 
have  often  broken  the  Sabbath,  which  thou  hast 
commanded  us  to  remember  and  keep  holy.  And 
these  are  only  a  part  of  our  sins ;  for  if  we  would 
count  them,  they  are  more  in  number  than  the 
hairs  of  our  heads.  We  should  be  deeply  pen- 
itent for  them,  and  we  ought  to  turn  from  them, 
striving  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord.  And  we  would  now  lift  up  our  voices  in 
supplication  to  thee,  that  we  may  hate  every  form 
of  s«n  and  resolve,  in  reliance  upon  the  gracious 
influences  of  thy  Spirit,  that  we  will  sin  no 
more. 

Lord,  one  thing  else  we  would  seek  as  a  prom- 
ised blessing,  which  is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  Every 
sin  we  have  committed  deserves  thy  wrath  and 
curse,  both  in  this  life  and  in  that  which  is  to 
come  ;  and  unless  our  sins  are  pardoned,  we  will 
be  lost  for  ever.  Our  repentance  cannot  save  us. 
Our  good  works  cannot  save  us,  for  our  righteous- 
ness is  but  filthy  rags.  Nothing  but  the  blood  of 
Christ  can  save  us.  Oh,  we  thank  thee  that, 
however  numerous,  however  aggravated,  our  sins 


2/O  HOME    WORSHIP. 

may  be,  the  blood  of, Christ  cleanseth  from  all 
sin,  and  that,  however  much  we  have  deserved 
to  be  punished,  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall 
not  perish,  but  have  eternal  life.  Lord,  help  us 
to  believe  in  him,  to  feel  that  there  is  no  other 
way  of  salvation,  and  to  receive  and  rest  upon 
him  as  he  is  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel. 

O  Lord,  let  thy  goodness,  as  it  is  exhibited  in 
the  works  of  creation,  providence  and  redemption, 
commend  itself  to  the  admiring  gratitude  of  all 
thy  creatures,  that  there  may  be  none  thoughtless 
of  thee,  the  ever-living  and  overflowing  Fountain 
of  good.  Touch  every  impenitent  heart  with  the 
conviction  of  its  deep  criminality  in  thy  sight, 
and  give  it  repentance  unto  life.  Lord,  let  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  have  free  course  and  be 
glorified  in  bringing  multitudes  in  faith  to  the 
foot  of  the  cross,  seeking  pardon  and  reconcilia- 
tion through  Him  who  was  lifted  up  that  he 
might  draw  all  men  unto  him, 

O  Lord,  we  would  ascribe  every  mercy  bestow- 
ed on  us  and  on  others  to  thy  matchless  grace  in 
the  Redeemer,  both  now  and  for  ever.  Amen. 


GOD>S  MERCIES. 

BLESS  the  Lord,  O  our  souls,  and  forget   not 
his  benefits,  for  God  is  love.     Thou  art  good,  O 


GOD^S  MERCIES.  2/1 

Lord,  in  giving  and  in  preserving  and  in  blessing 
the  lives  of  thy  creatures.  They  are  thine  offspring 
and  have  their  being  in  thy  mercy.  The  eyes  of 
all  are  unto  thee,  and  thou  givest  them  their  meat 
in  due  season ;  thou  openest  thy  hand  and  satisfiest 
the  desires  of  every  living  thing.  Thou  crownest 
the  year  with  thy  goodness,  and  thy  paths  drop 
fatness.  Thou  hast  shown  thy  mercy  in  thy 
forbearance ;  for  if  thou  didst  mark  iniquity,  who 
could  stand  ?  Yea,  thou  art  long-suffering  and 
art  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that 
all  should  come  to  repentance.  But  thou  hast 
exhibited  thy  goodness  above  all  in  the  gift  of 
thy  Son.  Thou  didst  so  love  the  world  as  to 
send  him  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should 
not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life,  and  thou 
didst  so  commend  thy  love  to  us  in  that  while 
we  were  sinners  Christ  died  for  us.  Though  we 
had  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  the  Lord 
laid  upon  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all.  Blessed 
God,  thou  hast  been  merciful  to  us  in  the  gift  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make  us 
wise  unto  salvation,  and  in  the  bestowment  of 
that  Comforter  whose  ministrations  are  life  be- 
cause of  righteousness.  Even  our  afflictions 
have  been  blessings  in  disguise,  for  thou  hast 
chastened  us  for  our  profit  that  we  might  be  par- 
takers of  thy  holiness  ;  and  though  thy  chasten- 
ing s  were  not  joyous,  but  grievous,  yet  afterward 
they  worked  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness. 


2/2  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Lo  !  thou  hast  made  even  the  sins  of  thy  crea- 
tures subservient  to  good  ;  thou  hast  made  the 
wrath  of  man  to  praise  thee  ;  and  where  sin  hath 
abounded,  grace  doth  much  more  abound.  Who- 
so is  wise  and  will  observe  these  things,  even 
he  shall  understand  the  loving-kindness  of  the 
Lord. 

Great  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
grant  to  each  of  us  a  sanctifying  and  saving 
knowledge  of  thy  mercy.  Thou  hast  a  perfect 
right  to  withhold  it  from  us — yea,  even  to  visit 
us  with  unmixed  and  irretrievable  evil ;  for  we  are 
not  only  unworthy  of  the  least  expression  of  thy 
goodness,  but  we  deserve  the  severe  retributions 
of  thy  wrath.  Nevertheless,  thy  goodness  has 
pursued  us  in  all  the  walks  of  life.  It  has  stayed 
or  soothed  or  healed  the  inflictions  of  merited 
evil,  and  it  has  bestowed  on  us  uncounted  tokens 
of  unmerited  good.  When  we  have  been  thought- 
less of  thee,  thou  hast  been  mindful  of  us  ;  when 
we  hated  thee,  thou  didst  love  us.  Verily,  thou 
art  long-suffering  and  abundant  in  compassion. 
Thou  dost  not  mete  unto  man  evil  for  evil,  but 
dost  crown  him  with  loving-kindness  and  tender 
mercy. 

Lord,  we  would  that  our  memories  could  re- 
tain and  our  hearts  could  properly  value  all  thy 
merciful  dealings  with  us.  Enable  us  to  set  a 
proper  estimate  upon  that  bounty  which  supplies 
our  wants,  upon  that  care  which  watches  over 


GOD'S  MERCIES.  273 

every  passing  moment  of  life,  upon  that  wisdom 
which  devises  for  us  all  our  changes,  and  that 
skill  which  makes  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  thee.  Oh,  may  thy  mercy 
lead  us  to  love  thee  and  do  thy  will ;  may  it  ever 
succor  us  when  we  are  tempted  and  comfort  us 
when  we  are  grieved  and  supply  us  in  every 
hour  of  need.  May  it  strengthen  us  in  the  hour 
of  death  and  be  the  song  of  our  rejoicing  through- 
out the  ages  of  eternity. 

O  Lord,  enable  thy  people  to  cherish  a  suitable 
estimate  of  thy  goodness,  and  to  use  it  as  not 
abusing  or  neglecting  .L  May  they  ever  remem- 
ber that  they  are  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  thy 
mercies,  and  that  they  have  deserved  wrath  in- 
stead of  kindness.  Bind  them  to  thee  and  thy 
cause  by  a  strong  and  abiding  gratitude.  Let 
none  of  thy  mercies  be  witnesses  against  them. 
And  oh,  do  thou  lead  them  to  imitate  thy  good- 
ness by  labors  of  love  and  by  seeking  occasions 
to  do  good  in  every  relation  of  life- 
Gracious  God,  deal  not  in  strict  justice  with 
those  who  are  now  rejecting  or  abusing  thy  mer- 
cy. Say  not  in  thy  wrath  that  they  shall  not 
enter  thy  rest.  Make  them  hear  thy  tender  and 
oft-repeated  entreaties  to  turn  from  their  wicked- 
ness whilst  thou  art  waiting  to  be  gracious.  Dis- 
play to  them  the  number  and  value  of  thy  mer- 
cies, and  especially  the  fullness  of  that  compas- 
sim  which  brings  the  Sovereign  of  heaven  to 


274  HOME    WORSHIP. 

plead  with  them  and  to  pursue  them  that  they 
would  turn  and  live.  Extend  to  them  thy  golden 
sceptre  of  grace  that  they  may  touch  it  and  live. 
Oh,  forsake  them  not,  but  multiply  thy  mercies 
upon  them  until  their  hardness  of  heart  shall  be 
melted  down  in  humble  sorrow  and  love,  until 
their  rebellious  wills  shall  be  brought  to  serve 
the  living  and  true  God. 

Lord,  let  these  our  ascriptions  and  supplica- 
tions be  accepted  in  our  blessed  Redeemer. 
Amen. 


NIGHT. 

O  THOU  that  makest  the  outgoings  of  the 
morning  and  evening  to  rejoice,  we  come  to  thee 
with  grateful  hearts  and  thankful  tongues  for  the 
mercies  of  this  day.  Yet  this  day  has  been  only 
one  of  many  days  which  have  been  crowned  with 
thy  goodness.  Indeed,  they  have  been  repeated 
so  often  as  to  beget  a  thoughtless  indifference  to 
their  value  and  to  their  Giver.  Alas  that  the 
very  multitude  of  thy  mercies,  instead  of  quick- 
ening our  perceptions  of  thee  and  deepening  our 
sentiments  of  gratitude,  should  make  us  thought- 
less and  ungrateful !  Lo !  the  ox  knoweth  his 
owner  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib,  but  we  do 
not  know  or  consider. 


NIGHT.  275 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  light  of  this  day. 
It  is  one  of  those  mercies  so  common  and  familiar 
to  us  that  we  are  unmindful  of  its  worth.  Oh, 
if  thou  shouldst  seal  up  our  eyelids  in  blindness, 
how  would  we  then  value  the  blessings  of  light, 
which  comes  every  day  to  quicken  the  face  of 
Nature,  to  cheer  our  hearts,  to  enable  us  to  meet 
our  lawful  employments  and  to  enjoy  our  ration- 
al pleasures !  We  would  remember  thy  power 
and  wisdom  and  goodness  in  this  wonderful  agent, 
which  ever  since  that  day  when  thou  didst  say, 
"  Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light,"  has 
been  flooding  the  firmament  and  the  earth  with 
its  heaven-born  radiance.  But,  O  God,  who  didst 
thus  command  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness, 
do  thou  shine  in  our  hearts  to  give  us  the  light 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ.  And  oh,  let  this  Dayspring  from 
on  high  give  light  to  all  that  sit  in  darkness, 
and  to  all  that  dwell  in  the  shadow  of  death, 
that  it  may  guide  their  feet  also  in  the  path  of 
peace. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  our  daily  bread.  If 
we  have  murmured  at  its  quality,  or  if  we  have 
been  impatient  at  the  toil  or  care  necessary  on 
our  part  in  seeking  it,  or  if  we  have  received  it 
without  gratitude,  forgive  us,  and  grant  us  a  spirit 
of  humble  contentment  and  patient  perseverance 
and  grateful  enjoyment  Bestow  thy  blessing 
upon  our  food,  that  it  may  give  us  health  and 


2/6  HOME    WORSHIP. 

strength.  May  we  use  the  vigor  derived  from 
it  to  do  thy  will.  But  give  us,  Lord,  that  bread 
that  cometh  down  from  heaven.  Let  thy  Spirit 
nourish  us  with  the  food  that  angels  eat,  that  so 
we  may.  grow  in  grace  and  attain  to  the  measure 
of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ.  Lord, 
minister  to  the  wants  of  the  poor,  and  abate  and 
remove  those  vices  and  evils  which  impoverish 
the  people,  and  give  the  competence  of  honest 
and  frugal  industry  to  all.  Break  thou  the  bread 
of  life  to  those  who  are  perishing  for  lack  of 
knowledge,  and  feed  the  nations  with  that  heav- 
enly manna  of  which,  if  a  man  eat,  he  shall  live 
for  ever. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  social  intercourse 
of  this  day,  whether  enjoyed  at  home  or  abroad. 
We  bless  thee  for  that  constitution  of  our  nature 
by  which  our  spirits  are  quickened  and  our  hearts 
are  refreshed  and  all  our  toils  lightened  and  all 
our  griefs  soothed  by  the  kind  eye  and  sympa- 
thizing voice  and  helping  hand  of  our  fellow- 
creatures.  We  thank  thee  that  we  have  not  been 
bred  in  the  monastery  or  cloister,  but  can  seek 
freely  the  lawful  fellowship  of  those  who  can  re- 
joice with  our  gladness  and  mourn  with  our  sor- 
row and  help  us  in  our  common  need.  Lord,  suf- 
fer us  not  to  pervert  this  provision  of  thy  mercy. 
Let  it  everywhere  and  continually  be  a  ministry 
of  love,  which  even  in  every  common  and  secular 
avocation  of  life  shall  work  no  ill  to  a  neighbor, 


NIGHT.  277 

but,  contrariwise,  blessing,  and  which  wil.  make 
the  fellowship  of  thy  children  here  a  foretaste  of 
the  peaceful  communion  of  the  just  made  perfect. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  duties  of  this  day. 
We  desire  not  to  spend  our  time  in  idleness,  cor- 
rupting and  unprofitable  to  ourselves  and  useless 
to  others,  but  in  lawful  employments,  which  will 
give  us  mental  and  physical  energy  and  diffuse 
well-being  around  us.  Let  thy  blessing,  O  God, 
abide  on  the  work  of  our  hands  this  day.  Where- 
in we  have  done  amiss,  forgive  ;  and  grant  that 
we  may  gather  wisdom  from  all  our  errors,  and 
also  from  our  sins.  Give  the  health  and  strength 
requisite  for  all  the  duties  that  lie  before  us  in  the 
pathways  of  life,  and  suffer  not  all  our  industry 
to  be  engrossed  by  secular  toils,  but  may  we  seek 
and  find  opportunities  for  doing  God  service  in 
the  higher  and  nobler  duties  of  religious  effort. 
And  in  all  that  we  undertake  endue  us  with 
power  from  on  high  and  make  thy  strength 
perfect  in  our  weakness. 

O  Lord,  let  these  thoughts  of  our  hearts  and 
words  of  our  mouths  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight 
through  Christ,  our  Advocate,  and  to  the  Three 
that  bear  record  in  heaven  shall  be  the  glory 
and  honor  for  ever.  Amen. 


2/8  HOME    WORSHIP. 


FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  come  again  to  thy  mercy-seat 
to  seek  thy  blessing.  We  praise  thee  that  thou 
art  never  weary  with  prayer,  but  that  thou  givest 
liberally  and  upbraidest  not.  Oh,  let  our  desires 
now  and  ever  find  acceptance  and  favor  through 
our  Lord  Jesus. 

We  humbly  pray  thee,  O  God,  to  increase  our 
faith.  Thou  hast  taught  us  that  without  this  grace 
it  is  impossible  to  please  thee,  and  that  he  who 
cometh  unto  thee  must  believe  that  thou  art,  and 
that  thou  art  a  Rewarder  of  them  that  diligently 
seek  thee.  Oh  that  we  could  endure  as  seeing 
Him  that  is  invisible  and  live  under  a  steadfast 
conviction  that  thou,  God,  seest  us.  We  desire, 
too,  to  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  be- 
lieving in  him  as  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,  and 
making  his  offices  of  prophet,  priest  and  king 
the  objects  of  our  delight  and  confidence.  We 
would  trust  thee  in  every  dispensation  of  thy 
providence,  knowing  that  the  very  hairs  of  our 
head  are  all  numbered,  that  every  measure  of  tem- 
poral prosperity  or  adversity  is  under  thy  control, 
and  that,  though  thou  mayest  cast  a  blight  on  our 
worldly  hopes,  it  is  still  our  privilege  and  our 
duty  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  and  joy  in  the  God 
of  our  salvation.  Oh  that  we  might  walk  by 
faith,  not  by  sight,  feeling  the  power  of  the 


FAITH,  HOPE  AND   CHARITY.  279 

world  to  come ;  even  in  this  tabernacle  groaning, 
being  burdened ;  not  that  we  would  be  unclothed, 
but  clothed  upon ;  that  mortality  might  be  swal- 
lowed up  of  life ;  and  always  confident,  knowing 
that  while  we  are  at  home  in  the  body  we  are  absent 
from  the  Lord,  O  Lord,  we  pray  thee  to  impart 
saving  faith  to  all  men.  Let  none  of  those  who 
profess  thy  name  falter  in  their  duty  or  stagger  at 
thy  promises  through  unbelief.  And  may  those 
who  are  now  walking  according  to  the  course  of 
this  world,  minding  earthly  things,  be  led  to  set 
their  affections  on  things  that  are  heavenly  and 
divine,  laying  up  treasures  in  heaven  that  their 
hearts  may  be  there  also. 

O  Lord,  increase  our  hope.  Yet  we  desire  that 
it  may  be  built  only  upon  the  foundation  of  the 
apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being 
the  chief  Corner-stone.  Enable  us  to  look  upon 
our  carnal  nature  as  enmity  against  God,  and  to 
confess  that  in  our  natural  state  we  were  aliens 
and  rebels,  who  deserved  to  be  cast  out  of  thy 
presence,  and  to  have  our  portion  where  there 
is  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth.  Exrery  hope 
of  pardon  and  acceptance  and  blessing  we  would 
base  on  the  gift  of  thy  Son,  assured  that  no  acts 
of  penitence  or  obedience  on  our  part  can  estab- 
lish any  claim  to  the  annulling  of  that  penalty 
which  was  due  to  us  for  our  sins,  or  any  title  to 
the  inheritance  on  high,  and  that  it  is  only  by 
his  righteousness  imputed  to  us  in  the  exercise 


280  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  faith  we  can  expect  the  forgiveness  of  sin  and 
bestowment  of  salvation.  And  oh,  may  thy 
Spirit  bear  witness  with  our  spirits  that  we  are 
thy  children.  Give  every  believer  the  assur- 
ance of  hope  unto  the  end.  And  oh,  let  many 
of  those  who  are  now  leaning  on  the  reeds  of 
earth  and  feeding  their  wishes  with  the  perishing 
expectations  of  this  world  seek  the  certain  and 
satisfying  and  enduring  hope  of  the  gospel. 

O  Lord,  increase  our  love.  Oh,  may  our  hearts 
go  after  thee  in  all  their  fullness  for  the  matchless 
perfections  of  thy  character ;  for  whom  can  we 
have  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is  none  on 
earth  that  we  may  desire  besides  thee.  We  would 
love  thee  for  thy  works,  which  thou  hast  made  in 
wisdom  and  ordained  in  mercy,  and  for  thy  ways, 
in  which  thou  makest  all  things  work  together 
for  our  good,  and  for  thy  word,  which  is  able  to 
make  us  wise  unto  salvation,  and  for  thine  ordi- 
nances, where  we  can  sit  in  heavenly  places  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Oh,  give  us  communion  of  spirit 
with  thee,  the  Father  of  spirits,  that  as  the  hart 
pants  for  the  water-brook  our  souls  may  pant 
after  thee,  and  as  the  parched  earth  drinks  in  the 
rain  which  cometh  from  heaven,  so  our  spirits 
may  receive  the  gifts  of  thy  heavenly  and  life- 
giving  presence.  Oh  that  we  could  continually 
say  the  Lord  is  our  portion.  Lord,  make  us 
kin  lly-affectioned  in  brotherly  love  to  those  that 
are  of  the  household  of  faith,  seeking  in  them 


GOD.  :  ? : 

the  image  of  Christ,  cherishing  them  as  the  dis- 
ciples of  Jesus,  and  laboring  and  praying  that 
their  righteousness  may  go  forth  as  brightness 
and  their  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burnetb.  Oh, 
if  God  so  loved  the  world  as  to  send  his  Son  to 
be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  we  ought  also  to 
love  one  another.  Lord,  inspire  our  hearts  with 
good-will  and  affection  to  all  mankind.  May  all 
men  desire  and  seek  the  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  all  mankind,  that  so  they  may  be  like 
our  Father  in  heaven,  who  sendeth  rain  upon 
the  just  and  upon  the  unjust. 

O  Lord,  if  thou  grant  us  these  blessings  through 
Jesus  Christ,  glorify  thyself  in  them.     Amen. 


GOD. 

"GLORIOUS  is  HOLINESS,  FEARFTI.  is  PRAISES,  DOING 
WONDERS/'— Ex.  XT.  n. 

O  GOD,  behold  our  shield  and  look  upon  the 
face  of  thine  anointed,  for  our  strength  is  weak- 
ness and  our  righteousness  filthy  rags.  Oh,  give 
us  in  this  season  of  our  communion  with  thee 
those  adoring  sentiments  and  hallowed  desires 
which  befit  us  in  view  of  thy  spotless  purity  and 
exalted  greatness  and  mighty  power. 

O  Lord,  thou  art  glorious  in  holiness.  Even 
the  heavens  are  not  pure  in  thy  sight,  and  thou 


282  HOME    WORSHIP. 

chargest  thine  angels  with  folly.  Blessed  God, 
teach  us  the  beauty  of  thy  holiness,  for  it  is  the 
life  and  perfection  of  thy  character.  May  we  be- 
hold it  in  all  thy  ways — in  thy  providence,  by 
which  thou  art  seeking  to  make  us  partakers  of 
thy  purity;  in  thy  grace,  which  teaches  us  to 
deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts  ;  in  the  gift 
of  Jesus,  who  came  to  save  us  from  the  guilt  and 
dominion  of  sin  ;  in  thy  truth,  by  which  we  are 
sanctified  ;  in  the  work  of  thy  Spirit,  by  which 
we  are  baptized  unto  righteousness  ;  and  in  the 
awful  decisions  of  the  last  day,  when  the  wicked 
shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment  and 
the  righteous  into  life  eternal. 

O  Lord,  let  a  sense  of  thy  holiness  awe  and 
control  our  spirits.  Let  a  conviction  of  thy  sinless 
perfection  keep  us  humble  and  reverent  and  obedi- 
ent in  thy  sight,  that  we  may  continually  die  unto 
sin  and  live  unto  righteousness,  and  that,  be- 
holding as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  this  attribute, 
we  may  be  changed  into  the  same  image  from 
glory  to  glory.  And,  O  Lord,  give  to  sinners 
such  a  perception  of  thy  holiness  as  shall  lead 
them  to  confess,  "Guilty  and  unclean;"  such  as 
shall  bring  them  to  thee  with  the  supplication, 
"  God,  be  merciful  to  us  sinners." 

O  Lord,  thou  art  fearful  in  praises.  Thou  art 
glorious  in  all  that  thou  art  and  in  all  that  thou 
doest.  The  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain 
thee.  From  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou  art 


COD.  283 

God.  With  thee  there  is  no  variableness,  neither 
shadow  of  turning.  Thou  art  infinitely  more 
exalted  above  us  than  we  are  above  the  smallest 
insect.  Lord,  thou  knowest  all  things,  the  only 
wise  God,  wonderful  in  counsel  and  infinite  in 
knowledge.  Thou  art  able  to  do  exceeding 
abundantly  above  all  that  we  can  think.  Thou 
art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  eviL  Justice 
and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy  throne. 
The  works  of  nature,  the  movements  of  provi- 
dence and  the  plan  of  redemption  are  full  of  thy 
goodness.  Thy  counsels  of  old  are  faithfulness 
and  truth.  Lo !  all  thy  ways  are  perfect.  Lord, 
give  us  such  adoring  views  of  thy  character  as 
shah*  be  preludes  of  that  praise  which  fills  the 
courts  of  heaven.  May  we  often  set  our  feeble 
and  corrupt  powers  in  contrast  with  thine  infinite 
and  spotless  perfections,  that  we  may  take  onr 
place  in  the  dust  before  thee  and  magnify  thy 
great  and  glorious  name.  And,  O  Lord,  give 
the  thoughtless  and  gainsaying  and  blaspheming 
such  views  of  thine  excellent  greatness  as  shall 
turn  all  their  indifference  and  enmity  and  pro- 
fanity to  praise. 

Lord,  thou  doest  great  things  past  finding  out 
and  wonders  without  number.  Of  old  thou  didst 
lay  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and  the  heavens 
are  the  work  of  thy  hands.  Thou  didst  speak, 
and  it  was  done;  thou  didst  command,  and  it 
stood  fast.  Nor  has  there  been  any  intermission 


284  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  thy  power  from  then  until  now,  for  thou  hast 
preserved  and  governed  and  upheld  all  things, 
doing  also  thy  pleasure  in  the  army  of  heaven 
and  among  the  inhabitants  of  earth,  no  creature 
being  able  to  stay  thy  hand  or  say  unto  thee, 
"What  doest  thou?"  Lord,  make  us  humble 
in  the  infinite  contrast  between  our  helplessness 
and  thy  might,  and  give  us  sentiments  of  holy 
fear  in  view  of  this  attribute,  for  thou  hast  power 
to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell  for  ever. 
Oh,  make  us  the  willing  subjects  of  thy  power, 
binding  us  to  thee  by  the  cords  of  thy  love  and 
making  thy  will  the  sovereign  arbiter  of  all  our 
desires  and  purposes  and  actions.  And,  O  Lord, 
show  the  power  of  thy  grace  upon  the  hearts  of 
the  ungodly,  turning  them  as  thou  turnest  the 
rivers  of  water,  and  they  shall  be  turned. 

Great  God,  perfect  thy  plans  and  purposes  of 
holiness,  praise  and  power  by  speedily  redeeming 
man  everywhere  from  his  apostasy  in  all  its 
forms,  and  restoring  his  dishonored  and  depraved 
and  ruined  nature  to  that  primitive  state  wherein 
he  was  created  in  knowledge,  righteousness  and 
true  holiness.  All  these  blessings  we  seek  in 
the  name  of  Jesus.  Amen. 


FAITH,  KNOWLEDGE,   HOPE,   ETC.        285 


FAITH,  KNOWLEDGE,  HOPE,  LOVE  AND  ZEAL. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  invoke,  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
thy  life-giving  presence.  Vouchsafe  unto  us  those 
spiritual  favors  which  thou  seest  we  need,  and 
the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  which  will 
make  us  more  like  thee  and  better  qualified  for 
every  duty  incumbent  on  us. 

Strengthen  our  faith.  Oh  that  we  could  shake 
off  the  fetters  of  unbelief  which  bind  us  to  the 
things  of  sense,  and  mount  up  as  on  eagle's 
wings  above  the  entanglements  of  flesh  and  sin 
and  rejoice  in  the  unclouded  light  of  thy  life- 
giving  countenance.  Give  our  spirits,  Lord,  a 
continual  perception  of  thee  as  over  all,  God 
blessed  for  ever,  for  according  to  our  faith  shall 
be  thy  mercy  to  us.  Oh,  let  us  not  dishonor 
thee  nor  provoke  thy  wrath  nor  alienate  thy 
favor  by  want  of  trust  in  thee.  Thou  hast  all 
the  power  and  wisdom  and  goodness  on  which 
confidence  can  repose,  and  thou  hast  given  us 
the  indubitable  promise  that  whosoever  cometh 
unto  thee  thou  wilt  in  no  wise  cast  out.  Lord, 
we  believe ;  help  thou  our  unbelief. 

O  Lord,  increase  our  knowledge.  Thou  hast 
given  us  memory  and  reason,  thus  endowing  us 
above  the  brutes  that  perish,  and  making  us  com- 
petent to  learn  thy  will  and  glorify  thee  in  the 
exercises  of  rational  and  immortal  natures.  But 


286  HOME    WORSHIP. 

oh,  our  self-sought  wisdom  is  folly,  and  without 
heavenly  teaching  we  shall  still  abide  in  darkness 
or  wander  in  error.  Lord,  teach  us.  Reveal  to 
us  thy  character,  for  to  know  thee  is  eternal  life. 
Open  our  eyes  that  we  may  behold  wondrous 
things  out  of  thy  law,  and  let  thy  Spirit  pour 
light  over  thy  ways,  that  in  prosperity  we  may 
acknowledge  thee  and  in  adversity  be  still  and 
know  that  thou  art  God.  Lord,  help  us  to  con- 
secrate every  acquisition  of  truth  to  thee,  and  in 
all  our  pursuits  of  saving  knowledge  and  in  aU 
our  rejoicings  over  increasing  light  may  we  strive 
to  make  everything  subservient  to  thy  will  and 
promotive  of  thy  glory. 

O  Lord,  elevate  our  hope.  Oh,  let  us  not  be 
governed  by  desires  for  sensual  pleasure  which 
palls  upon  the  appetite,  nor  for  earthly  riches 
which  thieves  may  steal  or  the  elements  may 
destroy,  nor  for  worldly  fame,  a  crown  of 
thorns  to  those  who  gain  it,  and  which  is  too 
often  purchased  at  the  expense  of  principle. 
But  oh,  lift  up  our  hopes  to  that  spiritual  pleas- 
ure and  those  abiding  riches  and  that  untarnished 
honor  which  are  at  thy  right  hand  for  evermore. 
Show  our  souls  the  contrast  between  earth  and 
heaven  until  we  spurn  the  finite  and  cleave  to 
the  infinite.  Yet  let  all  our  hopes  of  heaven 
spring  from  the  atonement  of  Jesus,  by  whom 
only  we  can  have  redemption  from  the  penalty 
of  sin,  by  whom  only  we  can  be  reconciled  to 


FAITH,  KNOWLEDGE,  HOPE,  ETC.         287 

God,  by  whom  only  we  can  receive  the  inher- 
itance of  the  saints  in  light,  for  there  is  no 
other  name  given  under  heaven  among  men 
whereby  we  can  be  saved. 

O  Lord,  inflame  our  love.  Oh  that  thy  good- 
will to  us  in  the  bounties  of  thy  providence 
might  win  our  affections  to  thee.  Oh  that  thy 
goodness  to  us  in  thy  protecting  and  sparing 
mercy  and  directing  wisdom  might  draw  us  to 
thee  with  cords  as  the  bands  of  a  man.  Oh 
that  thy  love  to  us  in  the  gift  of  thy  Son — that 
matchless  gift — might  bind  us  to  thee  in  a  cove- 
nant never  to  be  broken.  But  oh,  thou  art  infi- 
nitely worthy  of  our  strongest  and  liveliest  and 
most  enduring  affection  for  what  thou  art  in 
thyself,  glorious  in  holiness,  justice  and  faithful- 
ness. There  is  nothing  on  earth  worthy  for  one 
moment  to  supplant  thee,  nor  in  heaven  to  eclipse 
thee.  Yet  our  hearts  are  not  thine  as  they  should 
be,  and  we  often  suffer  the  creature  to  usurp  the 
place  of  the  Creator.  O  God,  rebuke  our  languid 
affections  and  bid  us  love  thee  with  all  the  heart. 

O  Lord,  quicken  our  zeal.  Let  us  not  confer 
with  flesh  and  blood  in  reference  to  the  claims  of 
duty.  Give  us  that  cheerful  obedience  which  will 
make  thy  yoke  easy  and  thy  burden  light  Make 
us  zealous  of  good  works,  for  thou  hast  com- 
manded us  to  go  and  bring  forth  fruit,  and  herein 
is  our  Father  glorified  that  we  should  bear  much 
fruit.  Oh,  may  the  abounding  transgression  and 


288  HOME    WORSHIP. 

abasing  guilt  and  impending  danger  of  sinners 
excite  us  to  works  of  faith  and  labors  of  love. 
Not  that  we  would  ever  arrogate  to  ourselves 
the  ability  to  save  souls,  but  that  we  may  be  used 
as  humble  instruments  of  righteousness  in  thy 
hands  to  save  some  that  are  ready  to  perish. 

Gracious  God,  give  these  our  unworthy  peti- 
tions acceptance  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Re- 
deemer and  Intercessor.  Amen. 


THE  LA  w  AND  THE  GOSPEL. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  who  hearest  the  thanksgivings 
and  answerest  the  supplications  of  all  thy  needy 
creatures  when  they  are  offered  in  the  name  of 
thy  Son,  give  us  again  gracious  audience  at  thy 
mercy-seat  in  his  merits  and  intercession. 

We  thank  thee,  great  God,  for  that  law  of 
Nature  impressed  on  our  consciences  by  which 
we  are  left  without  excuse  in  the  transgression 
of  thy  will.  But  we  would  praise  thee  still  more 
that  thou  hast  given  us  the  law  of  thy  word  to 
convince  us  of  sin,  to  warn  and  restrain  us,  and  to 
lead  us  in  the  ways  which  are  well-pleasing  in  thy 
sight.  Thy  commandment,  O  Lord,  is  holy,  just 
and  good.  Till  heaven  and  earth  pass  one  jot 
or  one  tittle  shall  in  nowise  pass  from  the  law 
until  all  be  fulfilled. 


THE  LAW  AND    THE   GOSPEL.  289 

Incline  us,  O  Lord,  to  take  heed  to  our  ways 
according  to  thy  word.  Open  thou  our  eyes  that 
we  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law. 
Let  thy  testimonies  be  our  delight  and  our  coun- 
selors and  songs  in  the  house  of  our  pilgrimage, 
and  the  daily  monitors  of  our  conduct  May  we 
make  thy  will  our  meditation  in  the  day  and  our 
remembrance  in  the  night.  Make  it  a  lamp  to  our 
feet  and  a  light  to  our  path,  and  do  thou  incline 
our  hearts  to  perform  thy  statutes  always,  even 
unto  the  end.  Impress  deeply  on  our  minds  the 
solemn  truth  that  whosoever  shall  keep  the 
whole  law,  and  yet  offend  in  one  point,  is  guilty 
of  all. 

O  Lord,  make  thy  law  the  sword  of  thy  Spirit 
in  thy  dealings  with  the  impenitent  May  it 
awaken  and  alarm  their  consciences,  enlighten 
and  convince  their  minds  and  persuade  and  sanc- 
tify their  wills,  so  that  they  may  be  born,  not  of 
corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible ;  by  the 
word  of  God,  that  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever. 

Heavenly  Father,  let  not  our  regard  for  thy 
commandment  create  in  us  a  spirit  of  self-right- 
eousness, for  in  the  trial  of  thy  justice  every 
mouth  shall  be  stopped  and  all  the  world  become 
guilty  before  God.  Make  it  a  schoolmaster  to 
bring  us  to  Christ,  our  only  hope  of  justification. 
May  we  remember  that  while  it  is  the  rule  of  our 
obedience,  it  is  not  the  plan  of  our  salvation. 
He  who  came  to  fulfill  it  is  himself  the  end  of 

19 


290  HOME    WORSHIP. 

the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth. 

Assist  us,  therefore,  gracious  Jehovah,  to  under- 
stand and  love  and  obey  the  gospel  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  We  would  magnify 
the  riches  of  thy  mercy,  which  devised  these  glad 
tidings  of  great  joy  to  all  people.  We  would 
praise  thee  that  thou  didst  send  it  in  due  time  in 
all  its  fullness  of  grace  and  truth,  life  and  immor- 
tality. It  was  not  because  we  deserved  thy  favor, 
or  even  sought  thy  mercy,  but  because  thou  didst 
pity  our  lost  condition.  We  praise  thee  that  it 
is  offered  without  money  and  without  price,  and 
that  whosoever  will  may  take  of  the  waters  of 
life  freely.  We  bless  thy  name  that  it  has  brought 
light  for  the  benighted,  joy  for  the  mourner,  lib- 
erty for  the  captive,  rest  for  the  heavy-laden, 
plenty  for  the.  destitute,  pardon  for  the  condemned, 
purity  for  the  unholy,  life  for  the  dead,  and  the 
hope  of  salvation  for  the  heirs  of  perdition. 

O  Lord,  help  us  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  be- 
fore us  in  the  gospel.  May  we  receive  it  as  the 
only  savor  of  life  unto  life.  Let  us  not  be 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  but  may  we 
glory  in  it  as  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to 
every  one  that  believeth.  May  it  teach  us  to 
deny  ungodliness  and  to  live  righteously  in  thy 
sight.  Make  it  the  instrument  of  building  us 
up  in  saving  knowledge,  holy  love  and  willing 
obedience  to  the  praise  of  Jesus. 


THE  LAW  AND    THE   GOSPEL.  29! 

O  God,  make  the  impenitent  feel  that  they  can- 
not escape  thy  wrath  if  they  neglect  this  great 
salvation.  May  it  bring  them  from  being  strangers 
and  foreigners  to  be  fellow-citizens  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith.  May  it  turn  their  carnal  minds 
from  their  enmity  unto  peace  with  God,  and  re- 
lease them,  in  justification  by  faith,  from  that 
wrath  of  God  which  now  abideth  on  them.  Bless- 
ed Saviour,  call  them  from  darkness  unto  mar- 
velous light,  free  them  from  the  bondage  of  sin, 
and  cause  them  to  stand  fast  in  the  liberty 
wherewith  thou  makest  thy  servants  free. 

Lord,  may  the  kingdom  of  thy  gospel  come 
and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven. 
Multiply  the  number  of  those  who  shall  run  to 
and  fro  increasing  knowledge.  Make  the  reading, 
but  especially  the  preaching,  of  thy  word  an 
effectual  means  of  convincing  and  converting 
sinners.  Strengthen  the  minds  and  sanctify  the 
wills  and  increase  the  zeal  of  thy  people.  Send 
the  rod  of  thy  strength  out  of  Zion,  and  make  thy 
people  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power,  and  may 
converts  be  multiplied  to  them  as  drops  of  dew 
in  the  morning.  O  God,  redeem  thy  promise 
that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  shall  bow 
and  every  tongue  confess  that  he  is  Lord,  to 
the  praise  of  God  the  Father.  Amen. 


2p2  HOME    WORSHIP. 

PROSPERITY  AND  ADVERSITY. 

O  LORD,  thy  kingdom  ruleth  over  all.  Every 
vicissitude  of  life  is  at  thy  control.  Thou  givest 
and  takest  away:  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord !  Great  Sovereign  of  human  destinies,  do 
thou  qualify  us,  we  beseech  thee,  in  the  name 
of  Jesus,  for  those  changes  which  await  us  in 
our  pilgrimage  through  earth. 

Suffer  us  not  to  be  anxious  for  worldly  pros- 
perity. Oh,  let  us  not  forget  its  fearful  dangers 
— how  often  it  leads  the  soul  away  in  forgetful- 
ness  and  ingratitude  from  God,  how  it  binds  the 
heart  in  the  fetters  of  worldly  conformity  and 
self-indulgence,  how  it  nourishes  pride,  indolence 
and  unfeelingness,  and  palsies  faith,  zeal  and 
prayer. 

O  Lord,  if  it  please  thee  to  bestow  abundance 
upon  us,  enable  us  to  use  it,  not  in  fulfilling  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  but  for  thy  glory  and  the  good 
of  man.  If  riches  increase,  let  us  not  set  our 
hearts  upon  them.  Make  us  willing  to  surrender 
them  at  thy  call.  May  we  remember  that  the 
duration  of  them  must  be  short  at  best,  that 
their  pleasures  are  mixed  with  vanity  and  vexa- 
tion of  spirit,  and  that  thou  wilt  judge  us  accord- 
ing to  the  multitude  of  thy  bounties.  Oh,  give 
us  such  views  of  thy  better  inheritance  as  shall 
preserve  us  from  the  evils  of  worldly  prosperity. 
Give  such  strength  to  our  hopes  of  the  eternal 


PROSPERITY  AND  ADVERSITY.  293 

weight  of  glory  that  all  the  enjoyments  of  earth 
shall  be  barren  and  tasteless  in  the  infinite  con- 
trast 

Heavenly  Father,  let  us  not  be  envious  nor 
rebellious  when  we  see  the  prosperity  of  the 
wicked.  Surely  thou  hast  set  them  in  slippery 
places.  They  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  tempta- 
tions and  snares,  and  into  many  foolish  and  hurt- 
ful lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and 
perdition.  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ? 

God  of  beneficence,  enlarge  the  souls  of  those 
on  whom  thou  hast  bestowed  plenty.  May  they 
bless  the  Lord  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 
Make  them  rich  in  good  works  and  ready  to 
distribute  according  as  thou  hast  prospered  them. 
Teach  them  that  the  silver  and  the  gold  are  thine, 
and  make  them  the  stewards  of  thy  bounty — 
willing  instruments  in  sustaining  and  enlarging 
every  work  of  faith  and  every  labor  of  love. 
Oh,  give  them  grace  to  lay  up  treasures  in 
heaven,  where  moth  and  rust  do  not  corrupt  and 
where  thieves  cannot  break  through  and  steal. 

But,  O  God,  prepare  us  for  encountering  the 
adversities  of  life,  which  we  may  not  hope  to 
escape,  for  they  are  the  lot  of  all  flesh.  In  the 
time  of  trouble  hide  us  in  thy  pavilion,  O  Lord. 
Support  or  deliver  us  in  poverty,  in  sickness,  in 
pain,  in  bereavement,  in  disappointment,  in  per- 
secution, in  sorrow,  in  reproach.  Let  the  trial 


294  HOME    WORSHIP. 

of  our  faith  in  all  these  work  patience  and  holi- 
ness. May  we  endure  as  seeing  Him  who  is 
invisible,  and  so  repose  on  thy  wisdom  and 
goodness  that  we  may  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done ; 
do  with  us  as  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight.  Thou 
givest  and  takest  away :  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord  !"  Though  thy  judgments  are  unsearch- 
able and  thy  ways  past  finding  out,  we  know  that 
thou  art  too  wise  to  err,  for  thine  understanding 
is  infinite ;  thou  art  too  good  to  be  unkind,  for 
thou  dost  not  afflict  willingly  nor  grieve  the 
children  of  men — yea,  whom  thou  lovest  thou 
chastenest,  and  scourgest  every  child  whom  thou 
receivest.  Lord,  cause  our  judgments  and  hearts 
and  wills  to  approve  of  every  measure  of  thy 
correcting  and  reclaiming  love. 

Lord,  sanctify  us  in  every  form  of  trial  we 
may  be  called  to  endure.  May  we  behold  thy 
hand  in  it,  and  confess  that  our  sins  deserve  it 
and  acknowledge  that  in  faithfulness  thou  hast 
afflicted  us.  May  we  then  remember  our  mer- 
cies, for  the  days  of  our  comfort  have  far  out- 
numbered the  hours  of  our  sorrow ;  that  our 
griefs  are  not  peculiar  to  us,  for  they  are  the 
heritage  of  our  nature ;  that  they  are  not  mere 
accidents  in  life,  for  thou  doest  all  things ;  and 
that  we  are  not  called  to  suffer  them  alone,  for 
thou  hast  said,  "  I  will  never  leave  nor  forsake 
thee."  Thy  rod  and  staff  shall  comfort  us  even 
in  the  valley  and  shadow  of  death. 


LOVE.  295 

O  God,  grant  that  all  who  suffer  affliction  may 
be  so  influenced  by  it  as  to  reap  the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteousness.  Let  none  despise  thy 
chastenings  nor  faint  when  they  are  rebuked  of 
thee.  May  thy  people  be  brought  out  from 
them  as  gold  that  is  tried  in  the  furnace.  And 
may  sinners  be  thus  led  to  repent  and  forsake 
the  error  of  their  ways. 

Lord,  glorify  thyself  in  all  the  classes  and  con- 
ditions of  human  life  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 


LOVE. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  thou  art  uncreated,  infinite 
and  everlasting  love.  Thou  art  good  and  thou 
lovest  to  do  good.  Thy  tender  mercies  are 
over  all  thy  works  and  thy  goodness  is  seen  in 
all  thy  ways.  But  thou  hast  most  commended 
thy  love  to  us  in  that  while  we  were  sinners 
Christ  died  for  us.  We  would  praise  thee,  Lord, 
for  the  common  and  special  benefits  of  thy  provi- 
dence, and  for  that  wise  arrangement  of  the  laws 
of  nature  which  promotes  the  happiness  and  well- 
being  of  thy  creatures,  yet  we  would  offer  thee 
loftier  strains  of  praise  and  stronger  feelings  of 
gratitude  for  thy  compassion  to  our  souls  in 
revealing  thy  will,  in  teaching  us  the  issues  of 
eternity,  and  in  bestowing  thy  Spirit  to  convince 


296  HOME  WORSHIP. 

us  of  sin,  to  enlighten  our  minds  in  the  know- 
ledge of  truth,  and  to  persuade  us  to  accept  the 
plan  of  salvation.  Forbid  it,  O  God,  that  we 
should  ever  forget  or  undervalue  thy  past  favors, 
or  that  we  should  doubt  thy  suretyship  of  com- 
passion for  the  future.  And,  O  God,  continue 
thy  loving- kindness  in  all  its  fullness  and  value 
and  perpetuity. 

O  Lord,  why  should  there  be  any  so  carnally- 
minded  as  to  be  enmity  against  thee,  the  God  of 
love  ?  Show  them  their  base  ingratitude.  Give 
them  such  a  sense  of  thy  goodness  as  shall  lead 
them  to  repentance.  May  they  learn  that  this 
world  has  no  charms  that  will  compare  with  that 
full  tide  of  affection  which  flows  from  the  heart 
of  God  to  those  that  put  their  trust  in  him  and 
make  their  covenant  with  him  by  sacrifice. 

But,  O  God,  whilst  thou  art  loving  us  and  do- 
ing us  good,  draw  forth  our  affections  in  fullness 
and  power  to  thee.  Besides  the  claim  thy  good- 
ness has  on  our  hearts,  thou  art  worthy  in  thy 
nature  of  every  tribute  we  can  pay  thee.  Lo  ! 
thou  art  perfect  in  every  attribute  of  thy  cha- 
racter. No  ignorance  impairs  thy  wisdom,  no 
error  perverts  thy  justice,  no  falsehood  clouds 
thy  truth,  no  spot  tarnishes  thy  holiness.  O 
Thou  who  art  infinitely  lovely,  be  thou  our  Alpha 
and  Omega,  our  morning  praise,  our  noonday 
thought,  our  evening  prayer  and  our  waking 
meditation. 


LOVE.  297 

Blessed  Jesus,  help  us  to  love  thee  with  the 
whole  heart.  May  we  cherish  the  memory  of 
thine  example  and  instructions,  thy  good-will  and 
promises,  as  the  dearest  objects  of  thought  And 
may  these  sentiments  of  our  souls  urge  us  to  ad- 
vance thy  glory,  to  desire  to  be  conformed  to 
thine  image,  to  seek  communion  with  thee,  and 
to  love  thy  house,  thine  ordinances  and  thy 
people. 

Gracious  God,  may  thy  people  bring  thee  the 
full  tribute  of  their  hearts.  Let  the  constant 
bearing  of  their  thoughts  be  unto  thee  and  to 
the  remembrance  of  thy  name.  Fill  their  hearts 
with  gratitude  to  thee,  and  lead  them  to  seek  thee 
with  delight  in  all  the  exercises  of  religious  duty. 
And,  Lord,  bring  those  who  hate  thee  to  esteem 
and  desire  thee  as  their  chief  good.  Oh,  cast 
out  their  selfishness  and  aversion,  and  take  the 
dominion  of  their  hearts  in  all  their  wishes  and 
purposes,  that  they  may  be  able  to  say  the  Lord 
is  their  portion  and  his  love  the  fullness  of  their 
joy. 

O  Lord,  while  we  would  seek  thine  enriching 
favor  and  would  love  thee  with  all  our  mind,  give 
us  grace  to  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  Let 
no  jealousy  or  selfishness  or  anger  or  malice  lead 
us  to  forget  that  all  men  are  our  brethren.  Thou 
makest  the  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the 
good,  and  thou  sendest  rain  on  the  just  and  on 
the  unjust  Why,  then,  should  we  shut  up  our 


298  HOME    WORSHIP. 

compassions  from  any  that  are  our  fellow-crea- 
tures ?  Oh,  help  us  to  feel  for  every  want  and  to 
sympathize  with  every  woe  that  afflicts  humanity. 
And  we  pray  thee  to  dispose  us  in  benevolence 
of  heart  to  do  what  we  can  to  dry  up  the  foun- 
tains of  human  misery  and  to  multiply  the  sources 
of  man's  real  happiness. 

O  Lord,  incline  us  to  love  the  souls  of  men. 
May  we  have  strong  pity  for  those  who  are 
thoughtlessly  or  willfully  destroying  their  eternal 
peace,  and  may  we  seek  to  bring  them  under  the 
influences  of  the  gospel.  Grant  us  that  spirit 
which  seeketh  not  her  own  and  is  not  easily  pro- 
voked and  that  rejoiceth  in  the  truth.  Cause  us  to 
abound  in  good-will  to  the  brotherhood  of  faith, 
and  to  be  kindly-affectioned  toward  them  in  broth- 
erly love.  May  we  seek  their  fellowship  and  be 
glad  in  their  prosperity  and  make  common  cause 
with  them  in  their  lawful  interests.  Lord,  give  us 
the  love  of  benevolence  toward  everything  that 
is  capable  of  happiness  or  misery,  and  the  affec- 
tion of  complacency  toward  every  creature  pos- 
sessed of  holiness. 

O  merciful  God,  we  beseech  thee  for  Christ's 
sake  to  pardon  all  our  neglect  of  these  duties  and 
our  transgressions  of  every  kind,  and  glorify  thy 
self  in  our  everlasting  salvation.  Amen. 


THE  AFFLICTED.  299 

THE  AFFLICTED. 

O  THOU  that  givest  us  both  the  grace  and  the 
answer  of  prayer,  assist  us  in  our  feeble  suppli- 
cations, and  grant  us  for  Jesus'  sake  those  bless- 
ings which  we  should  ever  seek  as  the  gifts  of 
thy  mercy.  We  would  come  to  thee  at  this  time 
forgetting  our  own  wants  and  seeking  thy  favor 
in  behalf  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  affliction. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  exhortation  of  thy  word 
to  make  intercession  for  all  men,  and  for  those 
examples  of  supplication  for  others  with  which 
it  abounds,  and  for  its  promises  to  effectual  fer- 
vent prayer.  Oh  that  all  our  entreaties  may  be 
made  prevalent  by  the  advocacy  of  Him  whom 
thou  always  hearest  and  in  whom  thou  art  ever 
well  pleased. 

Lord,  pity  and  bless  the  poor.  Soothe  and  re- 
lieve their  wants.  Protect  them  from  oppression. 
Save  them  from  the  vices  which  so  often  accom- 
pany their  lot.  Raise  up  friends  who  shall  feel 
for  their  wants  and  supply  their  necessities.  May 
thy  people  especially  remember  that  he  that  hath 
pity  on  the  poor  lendeth  to  the  Lord,  who  him- 
self had  not  where  to  lay  his  head,  and  who  looks 
upon  these  stricken  ones  as  his  representatives  on 
the  earth.  Though  thou  hast  said  that  the  poor 
shall  never  cease  out  of  the  earth,  yet  do  thou 
abate  the  sorrows  and  remove  the  painful  evils 
which  so  often  beset  their  condition,  and  make 


300  HOME    WORSHIP. 

multitudes  rich  in  faith   toward  God  and  in  the 
hope  of  salvation. 

O  Lord,  pity  and  bless  the  sick.  May  they  be 
led  to  reflect  that  disease  is  a  mournful  proof  of 
human  transgression.  May  they  look  upon  their 
affliction  as  the  light  recompense  of  their  in- 
iquities and  as  the  discipline  of  thy  hand,  which 
will  either  prepare  them  for  better  service  on  earth 
and  nobler  enjoyment  in  heaven,  or  for  greater 
'  hardness  of  heart  in  this  world  and  deeper  con- 
demnation in  the  world  to  come.  Lord,  relieve 
their  pains  or  give  them  grace  to  bear  them  with 
an  enduring  patience.  Let  them  not  despise  thy 
chastenings  nor  faint  at  thy  rebukes.  Incline 
them  to  renounce  every  earthly  hope,  to  feel 
that  all  the  issues  of  life  are  in  thy  hand,  and  so 
to  consecrate  themselves  to  thee  that  whether 
living  or  dying  they  may  be  the  Lord's. 

Lord,  pity  and  bless  those  who  labor  under  per- 
sonal infirmities — the  blind,  the  lame,  the  dumb, 
the  deaf  and  the  lunatic.  Alas  that  these  wit- 
nesses and  fruits  of  our  lost  estate  should  abound 
in  the  earth,  and  which,  if  man  had  not  fallen, 
would  have  been  unknown  !  Avert  poverty  and 
reproach  and  accident  and  evil  treatment  from 
these  smitten  ones.  Draw  around  them  the  sym- 
pathies of  all  who  are  exempt  from  these  evils. 
Smooth  in  every  way  their  paths  over  the  rugged 
mazes  of  life.  Lord,  bless  those  public  charities 
which  seek  to  ameliorate  and  remove  these  ca- 


THE  AFFLICTED.  3OI 

lamities  of  life.  And  if  it  please  thee,  give  wis- 
dom to  devise  such  modes  of  cure  as  shall  greatly 
lessen  or  entirely  remove  these  afflictions  from 
the  earth. 

Lord,  pity  and  bless  the  bereaved —those  whom 
thou  hast  smitten  with  the  loss  of  cherished 
friends,  and  whose  hearts  are  bleeding  with  the 
rupture  of  endearing  ties.  Let  them  not  rebel 
against  thy  will  nor  provoke  thee  by  excessive 
grief.  Shall  they  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  and  shall  they  not  receive  evil  ?  Enable 
them  to  kiss  the  rod,  and  to  confide  in  that  wis- 
dom which  inflicts  its  blows  and  in  that  goodness 
which  will  overrule  it  for  mercy.  Oh,  bind  up 
the  broken-hearted,  and  let  their  afflictions  be 
sanctified  to  them  for  their  everlasting  good. 

O  Lord,  teach  us  that  all  these  afflictions  are 
the  fruits  of  sin,  which  brought  death  into  the 
world,  and  all  its  woes.  We  confess  that  we  are 
partakers  of  that  depravity  which  we  have  con- 
firmed by  manifold  actual  transgressions.  Lo  ! 
sin  is  earth's  worst  affliction,  and  its  removal 
would  be  earth's  best  benediction.  We  bless  thee 
for  Jesus  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  that  as 
the  High  Priest  he  saves  them  from  their  sins. 
Make  us  partakers,  O  Lord,  in  its  fullest  extent 
of  that  salvation.  Increase  continually  and  great- 
ly the  number  of  those  who,  redeemed  from  the 
guilt  and  condemnation  of  sin,  shall  be  made  new 
creatures  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  who,  though  stil1 


302  HOME    WORSHIP. 

liable  in  this  world  to  the  afflictions  which  spring 
from  sin,  shall  find  thereby  every  woe  lightened 
and  every  blessing  of  earth  enhanced. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  whatever  exemption 
we  may  enjoy  from  these  evils  of  life.  Let  us 
never  forget  the  sympathy  and  help  due  by  us  to 
those  who  suffer  them.  And,  God,  grant  that  we 
may  devote  ourselves,  with  all  our  privileges  and 
benefits,  to  thy  service  through  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 


EXAMPLE  OF  CHRIST. 

GREAT  GOD,  we  would  come  to  thee  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  with  the  prayerful  inquiry,  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  us  to  do  ?"  We  thank  thee 
for  those  revelations  of  duty  which  thou  hast 
given  us  in  the  precepts  of  thy  word,  which  are 
as  a  lamp  to  our  feet  and  a  light  to  our  path. 
But  we  bless  thee  that  thou  hast  given  us  an 
example  of  godliness  in  the  character  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  in  all  points  tempted 
as  we  are,  yet  without  sin,  and  who  has  left  us 
the  record  of  his  life  with  the  admonition  that 
if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ  he  is 
none  of  his,  and  the  commandment  that  we  ought 
to  walk  even  as  he  walked.  And  we  have  come 
to  thee,  gracious  Lord,  at  this  time  with  the  sup- 


EXAMPLE   OF  CHRIST.  303 

plication  that  the  Same  mind  which  was  in  Christ 
may  be  also  in  us,  that  we  of  his  fullness  may 
receive,  and  grace  for  grace. 

Lord,  vouchsafe  unto  us  the  spirit  of  meekness. 
He  had  wherewith  to  glorify  himself,  but  made 
himself  of  no  reputation  and  took  upon  himself 
the  form  of  a  servant  But  we  have  nothing  of 
which  to  boast,  for  we  are  ignorant,  helpless  and 
sinful.  Oh  that  we  would  remember,  when  we 
are  tempted  to  the  exercise  of  a  violent  or  over- 
bearing or  haughty  temper,  how  Christ  humbled 
himself,  enduring  the  contradiction  of  sinners. 
Teach  us  what  we  are  in  the  infinite  contrast 
with  Jesus,  and  may  we  find  rest  for  our  souls 
in  learning  of  Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly  of 
heart. 

O  Lord,  bestow  on  us  his  spirit  of  forgiveness. 
Though  he  could  have  called  legions  of  angels 
for  the  punishment  of  his  enemies,  yet  he  endured 
their  reproach  and  persecution,  and  even  in  the 
agonies  of  death  prayed  for  his  murderers,  saying, 
"  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do."  May  we  remember  the  prayer  he 
taught  his  disciples,  "  Forgive  us  our  trespasses, 
even  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against 
us."  Alas !  how  often  do  we  need  forgiveness 
from  others  for  our  offences  against  them  !  O 
Lord,  though  we  suffer  wrong  and  injury  from 
men,  let  us  not  return  evil  for  evil,  but,  contrari- 
wise, blessing. 


304  HOME    WORSHIP. 

Lord,  vouchsafe  unto  us  his  spirit  of  patience. 
When  he  suffered,  he  committed  himself  to  Him 
that  judgeth  righteously;  when  he  was  reviled,  he 
reviled  not  again.  Oh,  let  that  grace  have  its 
perfect  work  in  our  hearts  in  all  the  trials  of  life, 
subduing  every  peevish  and  discontented  feeling 
and  giving  us  a  peaceful  and  contented  mind. 
Oh  that  we  might  run  with  patience  the  race  that 
is  set  before  us,  looking  to  Jesus,  the  Author 
and  Finisher  of  our  faith. 

O  Lord,  give  us  his  spirit  of  prayer.  Though 
he  needed  no  forgiveness,  because  he  did  no  sin, 
yet  cold  mountains  and  the  midnight  air  witnessed 
his  fervent  supplications  for  help  to  bear  his 
mediatorial  toils  for  a  perishing  world.  And  he 
has  taught  us  by  his  example,  as  well  as  by  pre- 
cept and  parable  and  promise,  that  we  ought  al- 
ways to  pray  and  not  to  faint.  Lord,  teach  us  to 
pray.  We  need  thy  help  ;  thou  art  ready  to  sup- 
ply all  our  wants,  and  all  that  thou  requirest  is 
that  we  should  feel  our  need  and  acknowledge 
thy  power  and  confide  in  thy  love.  Oh,  make  us 
feel  our  dependence,  and  that  thou  art  able  to  save 
unto  the  uttermost  all  who  come  to  thee  by 
Christ,  and  that  thou  art  more  ready  to  give 
us  good  gifts  than  we  are  to  ask  them. 

Lord,  grant  us  his  spirit  of  obedience.  It  was 
his  meat  and  his  drink  to  do  his  Father's  will. 
Oh  that  it  may  be  ours  also.  May  we  remember 
his  warning  that  no  man  can  serve  two  masters. 


COUNSEL,  PROTECTION,  ETC.  305 

May  we,  therefore,  give  our  allegiance  wholly  to 
God,  avoiding  whatever  thou  hast  forbidden,  do- 
ing whatever  thou  hast  commanded,  plucking  out 
the  right  eye,  cutting  off  the  right  hand,  sacrifi- 
cing property,  reputation,  friendship,  and  life  itself 
if  needs  be,  to  conform  to  thy  will. 

And,  O  Lord,  imbue  our  hearts  with  his  spirit 
of  love  to  man.  This  brought  him  from  the 
courts  of  heaven  to  abide  on  earth,  that  we 
through  his  poverty  might  be  made  rich,  and 
while  he  dwelt  with  men  he  went  about  doing 
good,  and  even  while  we  were  sinners  Christ  died 
for  us.  Oh  that  we  might  have  the  spirit  of  his 
gospel — good-will  to  man.  May  we  look  upon 
the  human  family  as  our  brethren,  and  shun  every- 
thing that  would  increase  the  griefs  and  woes 
\\  hich  afflict  mankind,  and  give  ourselves  heartily 
to  every  measure  which  will  lessen  them  and  in- 
crease the  happiness  and  well-being  of  our  race. 

O  God,  may  we  ever  remember  that,  however 
much  we  may  strive  to  imitate  Jesus,  we  will  still 
need  forgiveness  through  his  death.  May  that  re- 
mission be  now  extended  to  us,  and  thine.  Father, 
Son  and  Spirit,  shall  be  the  praise.  Amen. 


COUNSEL,  PROTECTION,  BOUNTY  AND  GRACE. 

LORD,  remember  unto  us  the  word  upon  which 
thou  hast  caused  us  to  hope,  that  thou  art  plen- 
20 


306  HOME    WORSHIP. 

teous  in  mercy  to  all  that  call  upon  thee.  We 
would  come  to  thee  again  with  the  burden  of 
our  wants  and  necessities,  asking,  that  we  may 
receive ;  seeking,  that  we  may  find ;  knocking, 
that  it  may  be  opened  unto  us. 

Lord,  guide  us  by  thy  counsel.  Make  us  feel 
the  imperfection  of  our  own  wisdom  and  our 
continual  proneness  to  error,  for  even  in  the 
most  simple  affairs  of  life  we  are  liable  to  go 
astray,  and  in  those  of  greater  moment  we  con- 
tinually err.  Alas !  we  know  not  how  to  select 
our  paths,  and  we  cannot  keep  them  wisely  when 
we  would  walk  in  them.  Oh,  choose  for  us  those 
employments  and  walks  of  life  in  which  thou 
wouldst  have  us  to  go,  and  order  our  footsteps 
in  them  by  thy  word  and  Spirit.  It  is  by  thy 
precepts  we  get  understanding ;  thy  word  is  a 
lamp  to  our  feet  and  a  light  to  our  path.  Oh 
that  every  device  of  our  judgments  and  every 
work  of  our  hands  in  the  every-day  business  of 
life  might  be  based  on  the  wisdom  of  thy  word 
and  enlightened  and  controlled  by  thine  unerring 
Spirit,  so  that  henceforth  our  lives  shall  not  be 
disfigured  by  foolish  devisings  and  fallible  doings, 
but  be  as  the  light  which  shineth  more  and  more 
unto  the  perfect  day.  And,  Lord,  give  the  bless- 
ing of  thy  directing  wisdom  unto  all  men. 
While  the  hearts  of  men  would  devise  their 
ways,  do  thou  direct  their  steps,  and  honor  thy 
wisdom  and  promote  the  well-being  of  mankind 


COUNSEL,  PROTECTION,  ETC.  307 

by  restraining  their  folly  and  guiding  them  in 
the  ways  in  which  they  should  walk. 

O  Lord,  uphold  us  by  thy  power.  The  pulses 
of  life  are  all  at  thy  control.  Thou  keepest  the 
springs  of  sickness  and  health.  Thou  canst  com- 
mand or  avert  the  disasters  of  limb  and  life  which 
are  strewn  in  the  history  of  human  existence. 
Oh,  look  with  an  eye  of  mercy  on  us  in  our 
helplessness  and  exposure  to  the  dangers  which 
are  about  us.  Preserve  for  us  the  faculties  of 
our  minds  and  the  powers  of  our  bodies.  Keep 
us  from  distracting  pain  and  distressing  sickness. 
Cut  us  not  off  as  cumberers  of  the  ground ;  but 
if  it  please  thee,  lengthen  out  our  span  of  proba- 
tion, that  we  may  glorify  thee  and  do  good  to 
our  fellow-men  and  complete  the  work  of  our 
salvation  by  an  increasing  obedience  to  thy  will. 
Lord,  protect  those  who  are  near  and  dear  to  us. 
Let  their  lives  and  health  and  comfort  be  pre- 
cious in  thy  sight.  But  if  it  please  thee  other- 
wise, either  in  relation  to  ourselves  or  them,  give 
us  grace  to  say, "  Thy  will  be  done ;"  "  Even  so  be 
it,  for  so  it  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight." 

Lord,  supply  us  by  thy  bounty.  Behold  the 
fowls  of  the  air,  for  they  sow  not,  neither  do 
they  reap  nor  gather  into  barns,  yet  our  heavenly 
Father  feedeth  them.  Thou  hast  promised  that 
if  we  trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good,  verily  we 
shall  be  fed.  We  would  not  seek  the  luxuries 
of  life,  but  that  thou  wouldst  give  us  food  con- 


308  HOME    WORSHIP. 

venient  for  us,  and  that  thou  wouldst  grant  us  a 
competent  portion  of  the  good  things  of  this 
life,  vouchsafing  continually  thy  blessing  with 
them.  Nevertheless,  while  we  would  feel  our 
dependence  on  thee  for  these  things  and  would 
seek  them  as  the  gifts  of  thy  mercy,  let  us  not 
be  unduly  anxious  what  we  shall  eat  or  drink 
or  wherewithal  we  shall  be  clothed,  but  commit 
all  our  wants  to  thee,  seeking  first  thy  kingdom 
that  all  needful  mercy,  according  to  thy  promise, 
may  be  added  to  it.  Lord,  look  with  compassion 
on  the  wants  of  all  thy  creatures.  Give  to  all 
their  meat  in  due  season.  Open  thy  hand  and 
satisfy  the  desires  of  every  living  thing. 

O  Lord,  sanctify  us  by  thy  grace.  However  we 
may  need  thy  counsel  to  direct  us  and  thy  power 
to  uphold  us  and  thy  bounty  to  supply  us,  we 
chiefly  need  the  influences  of  thy  Spirit  to  keep 
us  from  sin  and  lead  us  into  righteousness.  Oh, 
there  is  a  natural  proneness  in  us  to  sin  which  has 
been  confirmed  and  made  obstinate  by  habit- 
ual transgression,  so  that  those  things  which 
conscience  and  the  word  and  the  Spirit  teach  us 
we  should  shun  we  seek,  and  those  we  should 
do  we  leave  undone.  God,  be  merciful  to  us 
sinners.  Turn  us  from  the  error  of  our  ways. 
Enable  us  more  and  more  to  die  unto  sin  and 
live  unto  righteousness.  Let  the  grace  which 
has  brought  salvation  teach  us  to  deny  ungodli- 
ness. Oh,  give  us  that  holiness  without  which 


DUTY.  309 

no  man  can  see  the  Lord  And  oh,  do  thou 
teach  all  men  the  folly  and  guilt  and  danger  of 
sin  until  they  turn  from  it  unto  thee  with  full 
purpose  of  and  endeavor  after  new  obedience. 

O  Lord,  blot  out  all  our  transgressions  and 
receive  us  graciously  for  the  Redeemer's  sake. 
Amen. 


DUTY. 

IN  ITS  RELATIONS  TO  GOD,  TO  OURSELVES  AND  TO  OTHERS. 

GRACIOUS  GOD,  we  would  come  to  thee  in  the 
spirit  of  one  of  old  who  cried  unto  thee,  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  Oh,  it  is  thine 
to  teach  and  to  quicken.  Without  thy  directing 
wisdom  we  shall  stray  from  thy  ways  like  lost 
sheep.  Without  thy  quickening  help  we  shall 
fall  by  the  way  and  perish  in  our  sins. 

O  Lord,  do  thou  therefore  teach  and  quicken  us 
in  the  duties  we  owe  to  thee.  Oh,  put  thy  fear 
within  us  that  wherever  we  go  and  whatever  we 
do  we  may  feel  that  thou,  God,  seest  us.  May 
thine  infinite  excellences  inspire  us  with  such 
deep  humility  and  fervent  adoration  that  we 
may  continually  keep  our  places  in  the  dust 
before  thee  and  glorify  thee  as  over  all,  God 
blessed  for  ever.  Oh  that  we  might  trust  thee 
with  an  unwavering  confidence,  regarding  thy 
word  as  the  perfection  of  truth,  and  thy  ways 


310  HOME    WORSHIP. 

as  the  fullness  of  wisdom  and  goodness,  and 
thy  mercy-seat  as  the  unfailing  fountain  of  bless- 
ing to  all  that  diligently  seek  thee.  Oh,  set 
the  matchless  perfections  of  thy  character  in 
such  lovely  aspects  before  us  that  all  the  deep 
and  strong  affections  of  our  natures  may  go 
yearning  after  thee  as  their  chief  good  and 
only  enduring  enjoyment.  And  oh,  while  we 
would  fear  and  adore  and  trust  and  love  thee, 
make  us  outwardly  obedient  to  thy  will.  Let 
none  of  thy  commandments  be  forgotten  or  dis- 
paraged or  contemned  by  us,  but  may  they  all 
be  cherished  in  our  memory  and  conscience  and 
affections,  and  do  thou  incline  us  to  perform  thy 
statutes  always,  even  to  the  end. 

O  Lord,  teach  and  quicken  us  in  those  duties 
we  owe  to  ourselves.  Though  thou  hast  taught 
us  we  must  not  be  anxious  what  we  shall  eat  and 
drink  nor  wherewithal  we  shall  be  clothed,  yet, 
as  while  we  live  on  the  earth  we  must  live  of 
the  earth,  do  thou  give  us  those  habits  of  indus- 
try and  providence  and  frugality  which  with 
thy  blessing  will  raise  us  above  want  and  procure 
for  us  a  competent  portion  of  the  good  things  of 
this  life.  But  may  we  also  and  chiefly  seek  thy 
kingdom.  May  each  of  us  settle  the  questions, 
Am  I  in  the  broad  or  narrow  way?  Am  I  in  the 
bondage  of  sin  or  the  freedom  of  grace  ?  If  we 
are  in  the  way  that  leads  to  death  and  in  the 
bond  of  iniquity,  oh  unbind  us,  and  guide  us  into 


DUTY.  311 

that  narrow  way  that  leads  to  life.  Give  us  that 
repentance  and  faith  in  Christ  which  will  make 
us  new  creatures  in  him.  But  if  we  have  been 
transformed  by  the  renewing  of  our  minds,  en- 
able us  to  make  a  diligent  use  of  the  outward 
and  ordinary  means  whereby  Christ  communi- 
cates to  believers  the  benefits  of  redemption. 
Oh,  let  us  not,  while  we  have  the  form  of  god- 
liness, be  destitute  of  its  lifegiving  power.  But 
may  the  grace  which  has  brought  salvation  teach 
us  to  deny  ungodliness,  so  that,  while  we  cherish 
the  hope  of  Jesus,  we  may  purify  ourselves  as  he 
is  pure,  that  as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the 
earthly  we  may  bear  that  of  the  heavenly.  May 
we  add  to  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance 
and  godliness,  working  out  our  salvation  with 
fear  and  trembling,  knowing  that  it  is  God  that 
worketh  in  us. 

O  Lord,  teach  and  quicken  us  in  those  duties 
we  owe  to  others.  May  we  add  to  godliness 
brotherly  kindness  and  charity.  Make  us  kindly- 
affectioned  to  all,  but  especially  to  the  brother- 
hood of  faith,  even  doing  good  to  them  that 
hate  us  that  we  may  be  the  children  of  our 
Father  in  heaven,  who  sends  his  blessings  upon 
the  just  and  unjust.  May  even  the  guilty  and 
criminal  enjoy  our  compassionate  benevolence. 
Give  us  feeling  hearts  for  all  the  afflictions  which 
beset  mankind,  that  we  may  love  not  in  word 
only,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth.  Lord,  teach  us 


312  HOME    WORSHIP. 

that  in  obeying  the  commandment  to  love  our 
neighbor  as  ourselves  our  compassion  and  good- 
will must  be  excited  not  only  toward  the  bodies, 
but  the  souls,  of  men.  Excite  us,  therefore,  to 
pray  and  labor  and  give  for  the  welfare  of  Zion, 
and  that  sinners  of  every  rank  and  age  and  nation 
may  learn  their  guilt  and  danger  and  duty,  and 
be  brought  in  penitence  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come  and  seek  salvation  in  the  obedience  of 
faith. 

Oh  that  all  men  would  fear  and  praise  and 
trust  and  love  and  obey  God,  seeking  a  personal 
interest  in  the  covenant  of  mercy,  and  doing  good 
to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  men  that  thy  name 
may  be  glorified  in  Christ  Jesus.  Amen. 


THE  SOUL. 

IN  ITS    FACULTIES   OF    MEMORY,  REASON,  CONSCIENCE  AND 
WILL. 

O  LORD,  we  bless  thee  that  we  have  not  a  high 
priest  who  cannot  be  touched  with  a  feeling  of 
our  infirmities,  but  one  that  was  tempted  in  all 
points  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  May  we  there- 
fore come  boldly  to  a  throne  of  grace  that  we 
may  obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  in 
every  hour  of  need. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  made  us  above 


THE  SOUL,  3*3 

the  brutes  that  perish,  and  we  would  come  to 
thee  for  wisdom  to  appreciate  and  for  grace 
to  use  the  noble  faculties  of  immortal  mind  with 
which  thou  hast  endowed  us.  Oh,  what  shall  a 
man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul  ?  What  shall 
it  profit  him  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose 
his  own  soul? 

We  thank  thee  for  the  gift  of  memory.  It 
is  the  storehouse  of  knowledge  and  comfort, 
the  spring  of  repentance  and  hope,  the  monitor 
of  thankfulness  and  faith.  Oh  that  it  might 
retain  only  that  which  is  good  and  be  purged 
of  all  that  is  evil.  Let  it  be  full  of  Him 
who  is  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life.  Enable 
us  to  remember  thee,  our  Creator,  and  all  thine 
excellent  mercies.  Give  us  an  indelible  impres- 
sion of  the  doctrines,  precepts,  warnings  and  prom- 
ises of  thy  word.  Make  us  mindful  of  our 
transgressions  and  let  our  sin  be  ever  before  us. 
Enable  us  to  bring  up  in  review  the  promises 
and  covenants  we  have  made  to  thee,  and  lead 
us  to  pay  thee  our  vows.  O  God,  grant  that  we 
may  so  use  this  precious  talent  of  memory  that 
we  may  glorify  thee  in  our  body  and  spirit, 
which  are  thine. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  gift  of  reason. 
It  is  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  that  giveth 
understanding.  Thou  hast  made  us  to  differ 
from  the  irrational  creation,  bestowing  on  us  a 
nobler  nature  and  a  higher  destiny.  Lord,  bless 


3  H  HOME    WORSHIP. 

us  in  the  exercises  of  our  reason.  Oh,  let  it  not 
be  impaired  nor  subverted  by  anxious  care  or  by 
debasing  sin  or  by  tormenting  disease.  Preserve 
it  from  error  and  infidelity.  Bring  it  ever  into 
submission  to  thy  will,  whether  expressed  in  thy 
works  or  thy  ways,  and  however  inscrutable  it 
may  be  to  human  wisdom.  Teach  us  our  mental 
weaknesses,  that  we  may  not  lean  on  our  own  under- 
standing, but  trust  in  the  living  God.  Lead  us  to 
the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge,  and  especially 
of  that  wisdom  that  cometh  down  from  above, 
that  we  may  have  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  reve- 
lation in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  that,  the  eyes 
of  our  understanding  being  enlightened,  we  may 
know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling  and  what 
the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in  the 
saints. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  endowment  of 
conscience.  Thou  hast  by  this  gift  left  us  with- 
out excuse  if  we  transgress  thy  will,  putting  it 
into  our  breasts  as  thy  representative  in  the  hu- 
man soul  to  excite  us  in  well-doing  and  to  warn 
us  against  sin  and  to  reproach  us  for  disobedience. 
But  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  given  it  light 
and  energy  by  thy  word  and  Spirit ;  and  when 
we  had  stupefied  and  hardened  it  by  transgression, 
thou  hast  taught  and  quickened  it.  Oh  that  thy 
truth  and  Spirit  may  still  teach  and  quicken  it 
more  and  more,  that  it  may  ever  be  ready  to 
discern  evil  and  faithful  to  warn  us  against  sin 


THE  SOUL.  315 

and  prompt  to  rebuke  us  for  transgression. 
Oh  that  we  might  have  a  conscience  void  of 
offence  toward  God  and  man,  and  purged  from 
dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God. 

Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  faculty  of  our  will, 
by  which  we  may  choose  between  good  and  evil, 
cleaving  to  the  one  and  rejecting  the  other.  Oh, 
make  it  submissive  and  obedient  to  thee,  so  that 
in  every  trial  and  duty  of  life  we  may  say,  "  Thy 
will  be  done."  Forgive  us  when  we  forget  or 
forsake  or  contend  against  thy  holy  pleasure,  and 
enable  us  to  make  that  the  standard  and  law  of 
our  purposes  and  conduct.  Lord,  sanctify  in  us 
this  faculty  of  our  nature,  giving  it  the  strength 
and  purity  it  enjoyed  when  thou  didst  first  send 
forth  man  from  thy  creating  power  in  thine  own 
blessed  image. 

O  Lord,  teach  all  men  the  worth  of  the  soul. 
Oh,  let  none  forget  its  precious  undying  interests. 
Draw  them  by  the  words  of  thy  love  or  drive 
them  by  the  terrors  of  thy  law,  win  them  by 
heavenly  joys  or  alarm  them  by  endless  woes, 
until  they  make  their  peace  with  thee  ere  the 
precious  redemption  of  the  soul  ceaseth  for 
ever. 

These  petitions  we  offer  in  the  name  of  Jesus, 
unto  whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Spirit,  be 
honor  and  dominion  for  ever.  Amen. 


316  HOME  WORSHIP. 

REPENTANCE  AND  CONFESSION. 

O  LORD,  we  would  come  to  thee  with  the  filial 
penitence  of  the  prodigal  son,  confessing  that 
we  have  sinned  against  Heaven  and  in  thy  sight, 
and  with  the  contrite  supplication  of  the  publican 
saying, "  God,  be  merciful  to  us  sinners."  Blessed 
be  thy  name !  thou  givest  freely  of  the  bread  of 
life  to  them  that  seek  thy  fullness,  and  thou 
liftest  up  even  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven  those 
that  are  poor  in  spirit,  and  thou  bestowest  a 
father's  blessing  on  every  returning  wanderer. 
But  oh,  as  no  plea  drawn  from  ourselves  is 
enough  of  itself  to  secure  thy  favor,  may  our 
homeless  and  abject  souls  find  it  all  secured  by 
Him  that  maketh  intercession  for  all  who  come 
unto  thee  by  him. 

O  Lord,  give  us  the  spirit  of  adoption,  by  which 
we  may  cry,  Abba,  Father !  Alas,  alas  !  we  have 
wandered  from  thee,  and  we  have  loved  to  wander. 
We  have  used  the  portion  of  goods  which  thou 
gavest  us  as  though  it  belonged  to  us,  forgetting 
that  our  life  and  breath  and  all  things  were  given 
us  by  thee.  Often  we  have  lived  as  if  we  had 
no  heavenly  Father  to  thank  for  his  goodness, 
no  omniscient  God  to  serve  with  a  fervent  spirit, 
no  omnipotent  Judge  to  reward  us  for  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body.  We  joined  ourselves  to  the 
alien  of  a  far  country,  but  no  man  gave  unto  us 
that  which  would  feed  and  nourish  us.  We 


REPENTANCE  AND   CONFESSION.         317 

sought  food  for  our  wants  in  earthly  pleasures, 
but  they  were  only  as  husks  to  our  souls.  And 
now  we  come  back  crying-,  "  Why  should  we 
perish  with  hunger,  when  there  is  bread  enough 
in  our  Father's  house  to  spare?"  Oh,  we  thank 
thee  that  we  feel  our  wanderings  and  have  been 
inclined  to  come  back  to  thee.  But,  alas!  what 
multitudes  still  wander  from  thee!  The  earth  is 
a  vast  court  of  Gentiles,  an  alien  land,  full  of 
prodigals,  who  know  not  and  care  not  for  the 
glorious  robes  and  abundant  plenty  and  rejoicing 
gladness  of  the  household  of  faith.  Oh  that 
they  might  come  unto  thee  naked,  bleeding, 
needy,  ashamed,  shelterless,  that  saints  may 
own  them  as  brethren,  and  angels  rejoice  that 
that  which  is  lost  is  found,  and  God  acknowledge 
them  as  children. 

We  renew  our  cry  unto  thee,  "  God,  be  merciful 
unto  us  sinners."  Oh,  let  it  not  be  the  confession 
of  the  formalist,  but  the  earnest  acknowledg- 
ment of  a  felt  condition — not  the  supplication 
which  moves  the  lips,  but  stirs  not  the  heart 
with  a  sense  of  its  perilous  wants.  We  cannot 
plead  against  our  transgression  that  we  have 
followed  only  the  bias  of  our  sinful  nature,  for 
thou  hast  made  us  free  to  choose  good,  but  we 
have  chosen  evil.  We  cannot  plead  that  we 
have  sinned  ignorantly,  for  thou  hast  given  us 
line  upon  line  and  precept  upon  precept.  We 
cannot  plead  that  our  deeds  of  sin  have  been 


318  HOME  WORSHIP. 

few  and  our  works  of  uprightness  many. 
Alas  !  our  righteousness  is  but  filthy  rags  and 
our  best  works  are  defiled  by  sin.  Lord,  we 
confess  that  our  hearts  have  been  set  in  us  to  do 
evil  of  our  own  willingness,  that  we  have  loved 
darkness  rather  than  light,  and  that  our  trans- 
gressions are  as  the  sands  for  multitude.  But 
we  bless  thee  that  thy  will  is  mightier  than  ours, 
the  dawn  of  thy  grace  can  chase  away  the  night 
of  our  sin,  that  thy  mercy  is  greater  than  our 
iniquity.  Turn  us  from  every  evil  way,  make  us 
to  love  the  light  though  it  reprove  us,  and  purge 
away  all  our  transgressions.  And,  O  God,  be 
merciful  to  all  sinners.  There  is  forgiveness  with 
thee  that  thou  mayest  be  feared.  Oh,  may  that 
fear  be  to  them  a  fountain  of  life,  that  the  wicked 
may  forsake  his  way  and  the  unrighteous  man 
his  thoughts,  that  he  may  return  unto  the  Lord 
and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  him,  and  to  our 
God  and  he  will  abundantly  pardon. 

O  Lord,  we  bless  thee  for  the  precious  history 
of  redemption,  that  thou  hast  in  all  ages  been  re- 
storing thy  wandering  children  to  the  fellowship 
of  thy  house  and  bringing  the  impenitent  to  feel 
and  confess  their  sins  and  implore  thy  mercy. 
Oh,  repeat  and  multiply  these  trophies  of  thy 
grace  until  they  shall  be  a  multitude  that  no  man 
can  number,  the  malice  of  hell  defeated,  the  earth 
renewed  with  the  beauty  of  paradise,  and  glory  be 
rendered  to  God  in  the  highest.  Amen. 


A    000022095 


